Aspirin Description

Generic Name: ASPIRIN

Pronunciation: (as' pir in)

Trade Name(s): Aspent, Aspicot, Aspin, Colsprin-100, Cotasprin, Ecosprin, E-prin, GR.ASA-50, Loprin-75, Loprin-DS, Lowdose Aspirin, Mazoral, Myosprin, Otaspirin

Why it is prescribed: 1. Aspirin relieves mild to moderate pain.
2. It reduces fever, redness, and swelling.
3. It prevents blood from clotting.
4. It is used to relieve discomforts caused by numerous medical problems including headache, infections, and arthritis.

When it is to be taken: 1. Aspirin is often taken without a prescription.
2. Follow the instructions on the label and package.
3. If your doctor prescribes aspirin for you, you will receive specific instructions for how often you should take it.
4. If you are taking aspirin to treat a chronic illness such as arthritis, you must follow the schedule prescribed by your doctor carefully.
5. Keep in touch with your doctor.

How it should be taken: 1. Aspirin comes in the form of suppositories, capsules, and regular, coated, extended-release, chewable, and effervescent tablets.
2. If regular aspirin tablets cause a bad taste or burning sensation in the throat, try taking coated tablets to avoid these problems.
3. 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.
4. Chewable aspirin tablets may be chewed, crushed, dissolved in a liquid, or swallowed whole; a full glass of water, milk, or fruit juice should be drunk immediately after taking these tablets.
5. An oral liquid form of aspirin can be prepared by dissolving effervescent tablets according to the directions on the package.
6. To insert an aspirin suppository into the rectum, follow these steps: a) Remove the wrapper. b) Dip the tip of the suppository in water. c) Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. d) 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. You may stand up after abut 15 minutes. e) Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.

Special Instruction: 1. Children should not take aspirin for fevers associated with flu or chickenpox because such use has been linked with a serious illness known as Reye's Syndrome.
2. Adults should not take aspirin for pain for more than 10 days (five days for children) without consulting a doctor.
3. Aspirin should not be taken by adults or children for high fever, fever lasting longer than three days, or recurrent fever without a doctor's supervision.
4. Do not give more than five doses to a child in a 24-hour period unless directed to do so by a doctor.
5. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and resume the prescribed schedule.

Side Effects: 1. Although side effects from aspirin are not common, they can occur.
2. Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion and heartburn are common. Take aspirin after meals, with a full glass of water or milk. If these effects continue, contact your doctor.
3. Ringing in the ears, bloody or black stools, wheezing, difficulty breathing, dizziness, mental confusion and drowsiness are rare. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor.

Other Precautions: 1. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding women, inform your doctor before taking aspirin.
2. Do not take aspirin if you are within three months of delivery.
3. Do not take aspirin if you are allergic to it or to other arthritis medications (e.g., ibuprofen).
4. If you have diabetes, regular use of eight or more regular strength aspirin tablets a day may affect test results for urine sugar. Consult your doctor.
5. If you are taking a drug to thin the blood (e.g., warfarin), acetazolamide, corticosteroids, medication for gout or diabetes, or methotrexate, consult your doctor before using aspirin.
6. You should not take aspirin except on the advice of a doctor if you have certain medical conditions including allergies, anemia, bleeding problems, a history of ulcers, asthma, kidney or liver disease, gout, Hodgkin's disease, and a history of nasal polyps.
7. If you are taking large doses of aspirin on a long-term basis, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages because alcohol can increase stomach problems.
8. If you have congestive heart failure or on a sodium-restricted diet, do not take effervescent aspirin tablets because they are high in sodium content.
9. Aspirin is an ingredient in many nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs.
10. To prevent an overdose of aspirin, read the labels before taking other pain relievers and cold products to be sure that they do not contain aspirin.
11. If you have had oral surgery or your tonsils removed in the last seven days, do not use chewable aspirin tablets, effervescent aspirin and aspirin in crushed tablets or gargles.

Storage Conditions: 1. Store aspirin suppositories in a cool place or in a refrigerator.
2. Keep aspirin tablets and capsules in a tightly closed bottle in a cool and dry place.
3. Do not store aspirin in the bathroom because the dampness there can cause it to lose its effectiveness.
4. Throw away aspirin that smells strongly of vinegar.
5. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.