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Brand Name: Low-dose Aspirin

Generic Name: aspirin

A platelet aggregation inhibitor - It is used to treat mild pain and fever

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What is this medicine?

Low-dose Aspirin (AS pir in) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat mild pain and fever. This medicine is also used as directed by a doctor to prevent and to treat heart attacks, to prevent strokes, and to treat arthritis or inflammation.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

anemia
asthma
bleeding problems
child with chickenpox, the flu, or other viral infection
diabetes
gout
if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks
kidney disease
liver disease
low level of vitamin K
lupus
smoke tobacco
stomach ulcers or other problems
an unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin, tartrazine dye, other medicines, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label. You can take this medicine with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Children and teenagers should not use this medicine to treat chicken pox or flu symptoms unless directed by a doctor.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

What if I miss a dose?

If you are taking this medicine on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

alcohol
alendronate
bismuth subsalicylate
flavocoxid
herbal supplements like feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut
medicines for diabetes or glaucoma like acetazolamide, methazolamide
medicines for gout
medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like enoxaparin, heparin, ticlopidine, warfarin
other aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
pemetrexed
sulfinpyrazone
varicella live vaccine

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

If you are treating yourself for pain, tell your doctor or health care professional if the pain lasts more than 10 days, if it gets worse, or if there is a new or different kind of pain. Tell your doctor if you see redness or swelling. Also, check with your doctor if you have a fever that lasts for more than 3 days. Only take this medicine to prevent heart attacks or blood clotting if prescribed by your doctor or health care professional.

Do not take aspirin or aspirin-like medicines with this medicine. Too much aspirin can be dangerous. Always read the labels carefully.

This medicine can irritate your stomach or cause bleeding problems. Do not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medicine to prevent irritation to your throat.

If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your healthcare provider that you are taking this medicine. You may need to stop taking this medicine before the procedure.

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All visitors to AARP.org should seek expert medical care and consult their own physicians for any specific health issues. Read this disclaimer in its entirety.

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Note: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have question about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

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