Aspirin Regimen

Today is a good day to start or maintain an aspirin regimen for your heart health plus other health and disease related benefits.

Gastroenterologist's say a low-dose baby aspirin regimen therapy can beat anti-platelet drugs which are high-cost and have side-effects.

Aspirin Use to Control Existing Cardiovascular Disease

Aspirin can be beneficial to individuals who already have experienced a heart attack, stroke, angina or peripheral vascular disease, or had certain procedures such as angioplasty or bypass. Doctors may recommend aspirin use for persons with these conditions unless there's another medical reason why these individuals should not take aspirin.

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Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication commonly used to relieve pain, reduce fever, and reduce inflammation. It is also sometimes used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

The aspirin regimen typically involves taking a low dose of aspirin (81 mg to 325 mg) on a daily basis. The specific dose and frequency of aspirin therapy can vary based on individual needs and medical history, so it's important to consult with a doctor to determine the best regimen for you.

Some people should not take aspirin, including those who are allergic to it, have a history of bleeding disorders, or have certain medical conditions. Pregnant women should also avoid aspirin unless specifically advised to take it by their doctor.

It's important to follow the recommended dose and frequency of aspirin therapy as directed by a doctor, and to not take aspirin for an extended period of time without medical supervision. Additionally, aspirin should not be used as a substitute for seeking appropriate medical treatment.

Because aspirin may not be the most effective therapy for everyone, other anti-platelet medicines may be used instead of aspirin or along with aspirin. As with all medications, patients with cardiovascular disease should first speak with their health care provider to learn about the benefits and potential harms of aspirin therapy for them. Providers should be aware that recommendations on size of dose and length of treatment may vary among organizations and by disease.

Read about arteriosclerosis arteries and veins disease information!

Why is this medication prescribed?
How should this medicine be used?
What special precautions should I follow?
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
In case of emergency/overdose
What other information should I know?
Brand names
Brand names of combination products
Other names

Why is Aspirin Prescribed?

Aspirin is used to relieve mild to moderate pain; reduce fever, redness, and swelling; and to help prevent blood from clotting. It's used to relieve discomfort caused by numerous medical problems, including headache, infections, and arthritis. It's also used to reduce risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Larger doses of aspirin are used to treat gout.

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This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Usage for this Medicine

Aspirin comes as a regular, coated, extended-release (long-acting), chewable, and effervescent tablet; capsule; and gum to take by mouth and a suppository to use rectally. Aspirin is often taken without a prescription.

If your doctor prescribes baby-aspirin for you, you will get directions for how often you should take it. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take aspirin exactly as directed.

Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Do not break, crush, or chew extended-release tablets and don't open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole.

If regular aspirin tablets cause a bad taste or aftertaste or burning in the throat, try taking coated tablets to avoid these problems.

Regular, coated, and extended-release aspirin tablets and capsules should be swallowed with a full glass of water or milk or after meals to avoid stomach upset.

Chewable aspirin tablets may be chewed, crushed, dissolved in a liquid, or swallowed whole; drink a full glass of water, milk, or fruit juice immediately after taking these tablets.

An oral liquid form of aspirin can be prepared by dissolving effervescent tablets (Alka-Seltzer) according to the directions on the package.

To insert an aspirin suppository into the rectum, follow these steps:

Remove the wrapper.
Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)
Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1-inch in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments.
Do not stand up for at least 15-minutes. Then wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.

Adults should not take aspirin for pain for more than 10 days (5 days for children) without talking to a doctor. Aspirin should not be taken by adults or children for high fever, fever lasting longer than 3 days, or recurrent fever unless under a doctor's supervision. Don't give more than five doses to a child in a 24-hour period unless directed by a doctor.

Special Precautions to Follow

Before taking aspirin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to aspirin, other arthritis or pain medications (e.g., ibuprofen), tartrazine dye, or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking and in particular medications for gout, diabetes, gout, or high blood pressure and vitamins too.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia, diabetes, hemophilia or other bleeding problems, history of ulcers, asthma, kidney or liver disease, gout, Hodgkin's disease, or a history of nasal polyps.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking aspirin, call your doctor. Aspirin and other salicylates should not be taken during the last 3-months of pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking aspirin. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking aspirin 1 week before surgery.
if you drink 3 or more alcohol drinks every day, ask your doctor if you should take aspirin. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking aspirin.

Special Dietary Instructions to Follow

To prevent stomach upset, take aspirin with meals, a full glass of water, or milk.

What to do if you Forget a Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Don't take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Medication Side Effects

Although side effects from aspirin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or don't go away:

upset stomach
vomiting
stomach pain

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

wheezing
difficulty breathing
dizziness
mental confusion
drowsiness
skin rash
ringing in the ears
loss of hearing
bloody or black stools

Medicine Storage Conditions

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture - not in the bathroom. Do not use tablets that have a strong vinegar smell. Store aspirin suppositories in a cool place or in a refrigerator. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of Emergency / Overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other Information you Should Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to aspirin.

If you have diabetes, regular use of eight or more regular strength aspirin tablets a day may affect test results for urine sugar. Talk to your doctor about proper monitoring of your blood sugar while taking aspirin.

If you have had oral surgery or tonsils removed in the last 7-days, do not use chewable or effervescent aspirin tablets, gum, or aspirin in crushed tablets or gargles.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about aspirin.