What is Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.
Aspirin is used to treat mild to moderate pain, and also to reduce fever or inflammation. Aspirin is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina). Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.
Aspirin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. Aspirin also reduces fever.
Rectal aspirin is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Aspirin is also used to treat the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatic fever.
Rectal aspirin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
There are many brands and forms of aspirin available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms include black, bloody, or tarry stools, and coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Aspirin is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina). Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Rectal aspirin should not be used in a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome.
Do not take rectal aspirin by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
This medication comes with patient instructions for using the rectal suppository. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the rectal aspirin suppository. Try to use the medicine at a time when you can lie down afterward and hold the medicine in. Avoid using the bathroom during this time. It may be best to use this medicine at bedtime.
Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in children.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, or if you have:
- a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding
- a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia; or
- an allergy to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take aspirin:
- asthma or seasonal allergies
- stomach ulcers
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
- heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure
- gout; or
- nasal polyps
If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, avoid also taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen may make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin (non-enteric coated form).
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby’s heart, and may also reduce birth weight or have other dangerous effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking aspirin.
Aspirin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
Rectal aspirin should not be used in a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome.
Before using rectal aspirin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, foods, or dyes, or if you have:
- Kawasaki disease
- a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia
- glaucoma
- a stomach ulcer or bleeding
- a weak immune system
- asthma or nasal polyps
- high blood pressure or heart disease
- kidney disease; or
- liver disease
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use aspirin
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and may also cause problems with pregnancy or childbirth. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are using rectal aspirin.
It is not known whether rectal aspirin passes into breast milk or if it could harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Aspirin Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- black, bloody, or tarry stools
- coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
- fever lasting longer than 3 days
- swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days; or
- hearing problems, ringing in your ears
Less serious side effects may include:
- upset stomach, heartburn
- drowsiness; or
- headache
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using rectal aspirin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- black, bloody, or tarry stools
- blood in your urine
- coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding
- wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- decreased hearing or ringing in the ears
- seizure (convulsions); or
- dizziness, confusion, or hallucinations
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or
- rectal irritation
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Aspirin Interactions
What other drugs affect Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with aspirin may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking aspirin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
- another salicylate such as choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan’s, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with aspirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs while you are also use rectal aspirin may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before using rectal aspirin, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- alprostadil (Caverject, Edex)
- epitifibatide (Integrilin)
- tirofiban (Aggrastat)
- probenecid (Benemid)
- divalproex (Depakote) or valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene)
- an antacid or laxative
- a blood thinner such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin)
- cancer medicine such as abciximab (Reopro), methotrexate (Folex, Rheumatrex, Folex)
- insulin or diabetes medicine you take by mouth
- an antibiotic such as cefemandole (Maxipime), cefotetan (Cefotan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Periostat, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), piperacillin (Pipracil), tetracycline (Broadspec, Panmycin, Sumycin), ticarcillin (Ticar), vancomycin (Vancocin)
- an antifungal such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase)
- salicylates such as Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal; or
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs not listed that can interact with aspirin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Do not use any other over-the-counter medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much aspirin. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin.
Avoid taking an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) while you are taking aspirin. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Avoid taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack. Ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin (non-enteric coated form).
Aspirin (Rectal)
Do not use any other over-the-counter medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much aspirin. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains aspirin.
Aspirin Dosage
How should I take Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Taking aspirin with food or milk can lessen stomach upset. Enteric-coated aspirin is specially formulated to be gentle on your stomach, but you may take it with food or milk if desired.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or extended-release pill. Swallow the pill whole. The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating. The extended-release tablet is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking this pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
The chewable tablet form of aspirin must be chewed before swallowing.
Keep the orally disintegrating tablet in its package until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel the back cover from the tablet. Using dry hands, place the tablet into your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away, without water. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking aspirin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not take this medication if you smell a strong vinegar odor in the aspirin bottle. The medicine may no longer be effective.
Store aspirin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.
This medication comes with patient instructions for using the rectal suppository. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Do not take rectal aspirin by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the rectal aspirin suppository. Try to use the medicine at a time when you can lie down afterward and hold the medicine in. Avoid using the bathroom during this time. It may be best to use this medicine at bedtime.
Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.
For best results from the suppository, lie down after inserting it and hold in the suppository for a few minutes. The suppository will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in. Avoid using the bathroom just after you have inserted the suppository.
Call your doctor if you still have a sore throat after 2 days of using rectal aspirin, if you still have a fever after 3 days, or if you still have pain after 10 days of treatment (5 days for a child). Tell your doctor at any time if you have new or worsening symptoms.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using rectal aspirin.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using rectal aspirin. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store the rectal suppositories at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate or freeze them.
What happens if I overdose on Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, fever, seizure (convulsions), or coma.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, ringing in the ears, confusion, headache, increased thirst, severe drowsiness, uncontrolled muscle twitching, shortness of breath, bloody urine, hallucinations, or seizure (convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Aspirin?
Aspirin (Oral)
Since aspirin is often used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Aspirin (Rectal)
Since rectal aspirin is sometimes used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com