Aspirin
What It Is Used For
Low-dose aspirin (75 mg to 100 mg) thins the blood by stopping platelets from sticking together. It is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who have already had one, have had a stent or bypass, or are at high risk as decided by a doctor. Higher doses (300 mg and above) relieve pain, fever and inflammation.
How to Take It
For heart and stroke protection: usually 75 mg once a day after food, long term, only on a doctor's advice. Swallow enteric-coated tablets whole. Do not stop it suddenly without asking your doctor.
Who Should Not Take It
Do not give it to children under 16 (risk of Reye's syndrome). Do not take it if you have a stomach ulcer or bleeding, a bleeding disorder, asthma or allergy brought on by aspirin or painkillers like ibuprofen, severe kidney or liver disease, or in the last 3 months of pregnancy at pain-relief doses.
Side Effects
Common: indigestion and easy bruising. Serious: stomach ulcers and bleeding. Get help at once for black stools, vomiting blood, or wheezing and swelling after a dose.
Precautions
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take it before surgery or a tooth extraction. Tell your doctor if you have had ulcers, gout or asthma.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Low-dose aspirin is sometimes prescribed in pregnancy for specific reasons. Do not take it unless a doctor advises it.
Interactions
Clopidogrel, warfarin and other blood thinners, painkillers like ibuprofen and diclofenac, steroids, and some antidepressants raise the risk of bleeding. Ibuprofen taken just before aspirin can reduce its heart protection. It can raise methotrexate levels.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, out of the reach of children.
Checked by the Oshud Alo pharmacy team. For information only; follow your doctor's advice.
All brands of Aspirin