Aspirin

Common use

Aspirin is a salicylate. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is used to treat pain, and reduce fever or inflammation. It is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina).

Dosage and direction

Take aspirin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take with food if aspirin upsets your stomach. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or delayed/extended-release pill. Swallow the pill whole.

Precautions

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: asthma or seasonal allergies; stomach ulcers; liver disease; kidney disease; a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; gout; or heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.
Taking aspirin during late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the baby during delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Contraindications

You should not use aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you are allergic to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.
Do not give this medication to a child or teenager with a fever, flu symptoms, or chickenpox. Salicylates can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.
Aspirin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Possible side effect

Aspirin may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have: ringing in your ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizure (convulsions); severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; fever lasting longer than 3 days; or swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days.
Common side effects of aspirin may include: upset stomach; heartburn; drowsiness; or mild headache.

Drug interaction

Ask your doctor before using aspirin if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you are also using any of the following drugs: a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), or other medication used to prevent blood clots; or other salicylates such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others.

Missed dose

Since aspirin is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, vision or hearing problems, fast or slow breathing, or confusion. Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep away from children and pets.