Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? No
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal)
Uses
- Reduces pain, fever, inflammation.
- Relieves swelling, stiffness, joint pain of arthritis
or rheumatism.
- Antiplatelet effect to reduce chances of heart attack
and/or stroke.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid.
Extended-release tablets or capsules-- Swallow each dose whole.
Effervescent tablets--Dissolve in water.
Chewing gum tablets--Chew completely. Don't swallow whole.
Suppositories--Remove wrapper and moisten suppository with
water. Gently insert into rectum, large end first.
When to take:
Pain, fever, inflammation--As needed, no more often than every
4 hours.
If you forget a dose:
Pain, fever--Take as soon as you remember. Wait 4 hours for
next dose.
Arthritis--Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late.
Return to regular schedule.
What drug does:
Affects hypothalamus, the part of the brain which regulates
temperature by dilating small blood vessels in skin.
Prevents clumping of platelets (small blood cells) so blood
vessels remain open.
Decreases prostaglandin effect.
Suppresses body's pain messages.
Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes for pain, fever, arthritis.
Don't take with:
Tetracyclines. Space doses 1 hour apart.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Ringing in ears; nausea; vomiting; dizziness; fever; deep,
rapid breathing; hallucinations; convulsions; coma.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Black or bloody vomit; Seek emergency blood in urine; treatment
immediately. difficulty breathing; hives, rash, intense itching,
faintness soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).
Common:
- Nausea, vomiting, hearing loss.
- Heartburn, indigestion.
- Ringing in ears.
Infrequent:
Rare:
- Black stools, unexplained fever.
- Rash, hives, itch, diminished vision, shortness of breath,
wheezing, jaundice, mental confusion.
- Drowsiness.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You need to restrict sodium in your diet. Buffered effervescent
tablets and sodium salicylate are high in sodium.
- You are sensitive to aspirin or aspirin has a strong vinegar-
like odor, which means it has decomposed.
- You have a peptic ulcer of stomach or duodenum or a bleeding
disorder.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have had stomach or duodenal ulcers.
- If you have had gout.
- If you have asthma or nasal polyps.
- If you have kidney or liver disease.
Over age 60:
More likely to cause hidden bleeding in stomach or intestines.
Watch for dark stools.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until
you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining
milk supply.
Infants & children:
- Overdose frequent and severe. Keep bottles out of children's
reach.
- Consult doctor before giving to persons under age 18 who
have fever and discomfort of viral illness, especially chicken
pox and influenza. Probably increases risk of Reye's syndrome.
Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations
or laboratory studies to check liver function, complete blood
counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood
cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit).
Skin & sunlight:
Aspirin combined with sunscreen may decrease sunburn.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No restrictions unless you feel drowsy.
Discontinuing:
For chronic illness--Don't discontinue without doctor's advice
until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish
or disappear.
Others:
- Aspirin can complicate surgery, pregnancy, labor and delivery,
and illness.
- For arthritis--Don't change dose without consulting doctor.
- Urine tests for blood sugar may be inaccurate.
- Don't take if pills have vinegar-like odor.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
