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).

General Information

Aspirin is used to reduce fever and relieve mild to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, common cold, and headaches. It may also be used to reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as arthritis. Aspirin is known as a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking a certain natural substance in your body to reduce pain and swelling. Consult your doctor before treating a child younger than 12 years.

Aspirin is available under the following different brand names: Zorprin, Bayer Buffered Aspirin, Durlaza, Asatab, Adprin-B, Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength with Aspirin, Alka-Seltzer with Aspirin, Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascriptin, Ascriptin Maximum Strength, ASA, Bayer Children's Aspirin, Bayer Women's Low Dose, Bayer Low Adult Strength, Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Bayer Extra Strength, Bayer Extra Strength Plus, Bufferin, Bufferin Extra Strength, Ecotrin, Ecotrin Maximum Strength, Empirin, Extended Release Bayer 8-Hour Caplets, Extra Strength Bayer Plus Caplets, Genuine Bayer Aspirin, Halfprin, Maximum Bayer Aspirin, St. Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin, St. Joseph Regular Strength, and acetylsalicylic acid.

Dosage Forms & Strengths

tablet

tablet, delayed-release

tablet, chewable

tablet, enteric-coated

capsule, liquid-filled (Vazalore)

extended-release capsule (Durlaza [Rx])

Pain and Fever

Immediate release: 325- 650 mg PO q4hr PRN or 975 mg PO q6hr PRN or 500-1,000 mg PO q4-6hr for no more than 10 days; not to exceed 4 g/day

Rectal: 300-600 mg PR q4hr for no more than 10 days or as directed by health care provider

Acute Coronary Syndrome

For use as adjunctive antithrombotic effects for ACS (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], unstable angina [UA]/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI])

Acute symptoms

Maintenance (secondary prevention)

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Primary ASCVD Prevention with Low-Dose Aspirin

Adults aged 40-70 years: Consider use of low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg PO qDay) for select adults who are at higher risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but not at increased bleeding risk (AHA/ACC 2019 Guidelines on Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease)

Adults aged >70 years: Low-dose aspirin should not be administered on a routine basis for primary prevention of ASCVD

Any age with increased bleeding risk: Do not administer low-dose aspirin for primary prevention

Note: There may be select circumstances where clinicians might discuss prophylactic aspirin with adults aged <40 yr or >70 yr in the context of other known ASCVD risk factors (eg, strong family history of premature MI, inability to achieve lipid or BP or glucose targets, or significant elevation in coronary artery calcium score)

Ischemic Stroke & Transient Ischemic Attack

Initial: 160-325 mg PO within 48 hr of stroke/TIA onset, followed by 75-100 mg PO qDay

AHA/ASA recommends an initial dose of 325 mg within 24-48 hr after stroke; do not administer aspirin within 24 hr after administration of alteplase

Maintenance (secondary prevention)

Anti-Inflammatory

Use of non-aspirin NSAIDs has largely supplanted the use of aspirin for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory arthritides

Immediate release: Usual maintenance dose: 2.1-7.3 g/day in divided doses (individualize dose); monitor serum salicylate concentrations

Colorectal Cancer (Off-label)

Prophylaxis

600 mg/day PO

Decreases risk of developing hereditary colorectal cancer (ie, Lynch syndrome) by 60% if taken daily for at least 2 years

How should I take?

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. Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving aspirin to a child. Take with food if aspirin 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. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using it for a short time. Do not use aspirin if you smell a strong vinegar odor in the bottle. The medicine may no longer be effective. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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

What to avoid

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Heavy drinking can increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

If you are taking this medicine to prevent heart attack or stroke, avoid also taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen may make this medicine less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use both medications, ask your doctor how far apart your doses should be.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain medication. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or an NSAID. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, or an NSAID.

Aspirin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to aspirin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common aspirin side effects may include:

Warnings

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.

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