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Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). It was the first of its kind to be discovered.
Salicylate, a compound found in plants such as the willow tree and myrtle, is found in aspirin. Its first use was documented around 4,000 years ago.
Willow bark was used by Hippocrates to treat pain and fevers, and some people still use it as a natural remedy for headaches and minor pain.
NSAIDs are a type of medication that has the following side effects:
- reducing pain
- fever reduction
- In higher doses, it reduces inflammation.
These are not anabolic steroids. Steroids have many of the same benefits as NSAIDs, but they are not for everyone and can have unwanted side effects.
As analgesics, NSAIDs are typically non-narcotic. This means they do not result in insensibility or stupor.
The German pharmaceutical company Bayer owns the trademark Aspirin. Acetylsalicylic acid is the generic name for aspirin.
WHAT ARE THE USES OF ASPIRIN?
Aspirin is used to treat fever and mild to moderate pain associated with conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, the common cold, and headaches. It may also be used to treat pain and swelling associated with conditions such as arthritis. Aspirin is a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). It reduces pain and swelling by blocking a natural substance in your body.
Before treating a child under the age of 12, consult your doctor. To prevent blood clots, your doctor may prescribe a low-dose aspirin. This effect lowers the risk of having a stroke or having a heart attack. If you have recently had artery-clogging surgery (such as bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy, or coronary stent), your doctor may advise you to take aspirin in low doses as a "blood thinner" to prevent blood clots.
HOW TO USE ORAL ASPIRIN?
If you are using this medication for self-treatment, make sure you follow all of the instructions on the package. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take it exactly as directed.
Take this medication orally. Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, drink a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) with it. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication. If you experience stomach upset while taking this medication, you can take it with food or milk.
Enteric-coated tablets should be swallowed whole. Enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed or chewed. This can aggravate stomach upset.
Extended-release tablets and capsules should not be crushed or chewed. This can result in the drug being released all at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, unless the extended-release tablet has a score line and your doctor or pharmacist instructs you to do so, do not split it. Without crushing or chewing, swallow the entire or split tablet.
The duration and dosage of treatment are determined by your medical condition and response to treatment. Read the product label to find out how many tablets you can take in a 24-hour period and how long you can self-treat before seeking medical attention. Unless directed otherwise by your doctor, do not take more medication or take it for a longer period of time than prescribed. Use the smallest effective dose possible. If you have any questions, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are using this medication to treat a headache on your own, seek immediate medical attention if you also have difficulty speaking, weakness on one side of your body, or sudden vision changes. Consult a doctor or pharmacist before using this medication if you have headaches caused by head injury, coughing, or bending, or if you have a headache with severe or persistent vomiting, fever, and stiff neck.
If you take this medication on an as-needed basis (rather than on a regular basis), keep in mind that pain relievers work best when taken as soon as the first signs of pain appear. If you wait until the pain has become unbearable, the medication may not work as well. Because aspirin with a special coating (enteric coating) or slow release is absorbed more slowly, it may take longer to relieve pain. Inquire with your doctor or pharmacist about the best type of aspirin for you.
This medication should not be used to self-treat pain for more than 10 days. This medication should not be used to self-treat a fever that lasts more than three days. Consult a doctor in these cases because you may have a more serious condition. If you experience ringing in your ears or difficulty hearing, contact your doctor right away.
Tell your doctor right away if your condition persists or worsens (for example, new or unusual symptoms, redness/swelling of the painful area, pain/fever that does not go away or worsens), or if you suspect you have a serious medical problem.
WHAT TO DO PRIOR TO USING THIS MEDICATION
Give this medicine to a child or adolescent who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chickenpox. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome in children, which is a serious and sometimes fatal condition.
You should not take aspirin if you are allergic to it or if you have any of the following conditions:
- A history of stomach or intestinal bleeding in the recent past;
- A bleeding disorder like hemophilia; or
- If you've ever had an asthma attack or a severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, or others.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions to ensure that this medication is safe for you:
- seasonal allergies or asthma;
- ulcers in the stomach;
- disease of the liver;
- kidney disorder;
- a blood clotting or bleeding disorder;
- gout
- heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.
Taking aspirin late in pregnancy may result in bleeding in the mother or the baby during delivery. If you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, inform your doctor.
Aspirin can enter breast milk and cause harm to a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed if you are taking this medication.
WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE A DOSE?
Because aspirin is used only when necessary, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you're on a regimen, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medication to make up for a missed dose.
WHAT TO STAY AWAY FROM
You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking aspirin. Heavy drinking can increase your chances of experiencing stomach bleeding.
If you are taking this medication to prevent a heart attack or stroke, avoid taking ibuprofen at the same time (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen may reduce the effectiveness of this medication in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must take both medications, consult your doctor to determine how far apart your doses should be.
Before taking any cold, allergy, or pain medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Many over-the-counter medications contain aspirin or an NSAID. Taking certain products together can result in an overdose of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medication contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF ASPIRIN?
If you have hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, seek emergency medical attention.
If you have any of the following symptoms, stop using this medication and contact your doctor right away:
- Ringing in the ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizures (convulsions);
- Severe nauseousness, vomiting, or abdominal pain;
- Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, bloody or tarry stools;
- A fever that lasts more than three days; or
- Swelling or pain that lasts more than 10 days
The following are some of the most common aspirin side effects:
- stomach ache, heartburn
- drowsiness
- a light headache
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects; others may occur. For medical advice on side effects, contact your doctor.
WHAT OTHER MEDICATIONS WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON ASPIRIN?
If you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone, consult your doctor before taking aspirin. When combined with an NSAID, any of these medications may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
If you are also taking any of the following medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist to see if it is safe for you to use this medication.
- A blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), or other anti-clotting medication; or
- Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and other salicylates
This is not an exhaustive list. Other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products, may interact with aspirin. This medication guide does not cover all possible interactions.
CONCLUSION
Aspirin can help prevent and treat a variety of health problems, but children under the age of 18 should not take it without medical supervision.
Aspirin is available without a prescription or over-the-counter. Always follow the instructions on the label or the advice of a doctor. This is especially important for people who are more likely to be affected negatively.
Aspirin is not suitable for everyone, especially when taken on a daily basis. Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are also options for mild pain relief.