Aspirin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Aspirin is a salicylate and a type of NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), also described as a platelet aggregation inhibitor. It is used to relieve pain, swelling and fever, and it can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke or blood clots when used under a doctor's supervision. It comes in several forms, including standard, chewable, enteric-coated, delayed-release and extended-release tablets.

What is Aspirin Tablet

Aspirin is a salicylate and a type of NSAID. It is used to relieve pain, swelling and fever, and it can also lower the risk of heart attack, stroke or blood clots when used under a doctor's supervision.

Aspirin Tablet uses

• Relief of mild to moderate pain such as headaches, migraine, neuralgia, toothache and sore throat
• Period pains
• Relief of sprains, strains, rheumatic pain, sciatica, lumbago, muscle aches and fibrositis
• Joint swelling and stiffness (arthritis)
• Reducing fever (high temperature)
• Reducing inflammation
• Treating or preventing heart attacks, strokes and chest pain (angina) under a doctor's supervision

Benefits of Aspirin Tablet

• Eases pain, swelling and inflammation
• Helps bring down a high temperature
• May lower the risk of heart attack, stroke or blood clots when prescribed by a doctor

How Aspirin Tablet works

Aspirin works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever and inflammation.

Aspirin Tablet dosage

Take aspirin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use more or less than recommended, or for longer than recommended. Take by mouth with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food; take it with food if it upsets your stomach. You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it. Do not crush, chew, break or open an enteric-coated or delayed/extended-release pill; swallow the pill whole. Do not take it more often than directed. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose to make up for it. Do not take other medicines that contain aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen at the same time. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine, as you may need to stop it for a short time. Do not use aspirin if it has a strong vinegar smell, as it may no longer be effective.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Chewable tablet
• Enteric-coated tablet
• Delayed-release tablet
• Extended-release tablet

Side effects of Aspirin Tablet

Common

• Upset stomach
• Heartburn
• Drowsiness
• Mild headache
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Increased bleeding time when you cut yourself, or bruising under the skin
• Nose bleeds
• Ringing in the ears or hearing problems
• Dizziness (vertigo) or feeling confused

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Ringing in the ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing or seizures
• 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
• Kidney injury: decreased urine, swelling of the ankles, hands or feet
• Liver injury: right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness
• Serious skin reactions: rash that blisters or peels, redness with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes
• Bleeding on the brain, which may cause a severe headache or stroke

Warnings and precautions

• Do not give this medicine to a child or teenager with a fever, flu symptoms or chickenpox, as it can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.
• Do not use aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia, a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you are allergic to aspirin or an NSAID.
• This medicine can cause serious ulcers and bleeding in the stomach, which can happen with no warning. Tobacco, alcohol, older age and poor health can increase the risk.
• If you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, avoid also taking ibuprofen, as it may make aspirin less effective at protecting your heart and blood vessels.
• Do not give this medicine to children under 16 years unless your doctor tells you to, because of a possible link with Reye's syndrome.
• Do not take aspirin in the last three months of pregnancy, as taking it in late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or baby during delivery. Taking it after 20 weeks may cause serious birth defects, and use after 30 weeks is not recommended. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Aspirin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before using aspirin. This medicine can cause kidney injury.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease before using aspirin. This medicine can cause liver injury.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking aspirin. Heavy drinking can increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
• Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F); do not store above 25 degrees C.
• Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date, ideally through a medication take-back program, or as directed on the label.
• If disposing in the trash, mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt or coffee grounds, seal it in a bag or container, and put it in the trash.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have ringing in your ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizures, 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.
• If you think you have taken too much, seek emergency medical attention or call your local poison control center. Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, vision or hearing problems, fast or slow breathing, or confusion.
• Call your care team right away if you have stomach pain or blood in your vomit or stool.
• Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash that may turn into blisters or peeling of the skin.

Alternatives

• Plavix (clopidogrel)
• Brilinta (ticagrelor)
• Warfarin
• Clopidogrel