Aspirin is prescribed to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and a few other rheumatologic conditions (conditions in which the immune system attacks parts of the body). Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by swelling of the lining of the joints, while osteoarthritis results from breakdown of the lining of the joints. Aspirin, which is available over-the-counter, is used to treat mild to moderate headache, menstruation, arthritic, dental, and muscular pain as well as to lower fever. People who have already experienced a heart attack or who experience angina (chest pain brought on when the heart does not receive enough oxygen) can also use nonprescription aspirin to avoid heart attacks. People who are having or have already had a heart attack might use nonprescription aspirin to lower their chance of passing away. Non-prescription aspirin is also used to prevent ischemic strokes or mini-strokes in people who have previously experienced these types of strokes or mini-strokes (strokes that happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain for a brief period of time). Hemorrhagic strokes, or those brought on by bleeding in the brain, cannot be avoided by aspirin. Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs known as salicylates. It functions by preventing the synthesis of a few natural chemicals that result in fever, discomfort, edema, and blood clots.

Additionally, antacids, painkillers, and cough and cold remedies are all available in aspirin combinations. Information in this monograph is limited to aspirin usage. If you’re taking a combination product, make sure to read the instructions on the label or the container. You may also ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.

Aspirin with a prescription is available as a long-acting (extended-release) tablet. Non-prescription aspirin is available as a conventional tablet, a delayed-release tablet that delivers the drug in the intestine rather than the stomach to protect the stomach lining, a chewable tablet, powder, and a chewable gum. Aspirin obtained on prescription is typically taken twice a day or more. To reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, nonprescription aspirin is often taken once day. To treat a fever or relieve discomfort, nonprescription aspirin is often used every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on the packaging or prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow them. Aspirin should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than recommended on the box label or by your doctor.

Take the extended-release pills with a full glass of water, swallowing them whole. Do not eat, shatter, or crush them.

Take the extended-release pills with a full glass of water and swallow.

Chewable aspirin tablets can be consumed whole, crushed, or whole. After taking these pills, immediately sip on a full glass of water.

Before giving aspirin to your child or teenager, see a doctor. Reye’s syndrome, a dangerous disorder in which fat accumulates on the brain, liver, and other body organs, may be brought on by aspirin in kids and teenagers, particularly if they have a virus like chicken pox or the flu.

Ask your doctor which aspirin brands are safe for you if you’ve recently had oral surgery or surgery to remove your tonsils.

It takes some time for delayed-release medications to start working after being consumed. Avoid using delayed-release medications if you have a fever or pain that has to go away fast.

If your fever lasts longer than three days, if your pain lasts longer than ten days, or if the area of your body that was hurting turns red or swollen, stop taking aspirin and notify your doctor. There’s a chance you have a condition that needs medical attention.

Rheumatic fever (a dangerous disorder that may arise after strep throat infection and may result in heart valve swelling) and Kawasaki disease (an illness that may result in heart issues in children) are other conditions that aspirin is occasionally used to treat. Additionally, aspirin is occasionally used to reduce the risk of blood clots in people with prosthetic heart valves or certain other cardiac diseases as well as to stop some pregnancy-related issues.

Before taking aspirin,

• Inform your physician and pharmacist if you have any drug allergies, including those to aspirin, other painkillers, fever reducers, tartrazine dye, or other substances.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking or intend to use. Be certain to bring up any of the following: ACE inhibitors such as acetazolamide (Diamox), captopril (Capoten), and benazepril (Lotensin), as well as acetazolamide (Diamox), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); Enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), perindopril, beta blockers such atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), as well as anticoagulants (sometimes known as “blood thinners”) like warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin, probenecid and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane), pharmaceuticals for gout; diuretics (often known as “water pills”); drugs for diabetes or arthritis; nadolol (Corgard) and propranolol (Inderal); other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) include naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote), in addition to methotrexate (Trexall). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a closer eye out for any negative side effects.
• Avoid taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to relieve pain or fever if you regularly use aspirin to avoid heart attack or stroke. Instead, consult your doctor first. You should wait a while before taking an ibuprofen dose after taking your daily aspirin, according to what your doctor is likely to advise.
• Inform your doctor if you experience regular runny or stuffy nose, asthma, or nasal polyps (growths on the lining of the nose). There is a chance that aspirin will cause an allergic reaction if you have certain diseases. Your physician might advise against taking aspirin.
• Inform your doctor if you frequently experience heartburn, stomach pain, or upset, and if you have ever experienced ulcers, anemia, bleeding issues like hemophilia, or kidney or liver disease.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are already nursing a baby. Aspirin in low dosages up to 81 mg may be taken while pregnant, but if taken after the 20th week of pregnancy or later, it may harm the fetus and interfere with delivery. If your doctor hasn’t instructed you to, avoid taking aspirin doses larger than 81 mg (e.g., 325 mg) during or after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using aspirin or drugs that include aspirin.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking aspirin if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.
• If you consume three or more alcoholic beverages per day, consult your physician about whether you need take aspirin or other pain and fever-relieving medications.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you’ve been prescribed aspirin regularly by your doctor and forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from aspirin are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Hives
• Rash
• Enlargement of the throat, lips, tongue, eyes, or face
• Wheezing or breathing issues
• Hoarseness
• Rapid heart rate
• Rapid respiration
• Clammy, frigid skin
• Hearing ringing
• Decline in hearing
• Tainted vomit
• The vomit resembles coffee grinds
• Reddish blood in the stools
• Feces that is dark or tarry

Other negative effects of aspirin are possible. If you encounter any odd issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you have a serious side event.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture. Any tablets with a strong vinegar odor should be thrown away.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning.http://www.upandaway.org

To make sure that pets, kids, and other people cannot take leftover pharmaceuticals, they should be disposed of in a specific manner. You shouldn’t flush this medication down the toilet, though. The best option to get rid of your medication is instead through a medication take-back program. To find out about take-back initiatives in your neighborhood, speak with your pharmacist or get in touch with your city’s waste/recycling department. If you do not have access to a take-back program, you can find more information at the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p).

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Searing discomfort in the stomach or throat
• Vomiting
• Less urinations
• Fever
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Speaking a lot and making senseless statements
• Dread or anxiety
• Dizziness
• Dual perception
• Body part shaking that is uncontrollable
• Confusion
• Unusually ecstatic mood
• Hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that are not there)
• Seizures
• Drowsiness
• Long-lasting loss of awareness

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not let anyone else take your aspirin if it is a prescription drug. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.