Aspirin

Precautions:

• may cause stomach upset, asthma, rash, kidney disease, coagulation problems
• if the recommended dosage doesn't work, taking more will not help
• high potential for rebound headaches
• Children and teenagers should not use this medicine for chicken pox or flu symptoms before a doctor is consulted about Reye' syndrome, a rare but serious illness reported to be associated with aspirin.
• If you have diabetes, moderate to large doses of aspirin may produce false urine glucose test results.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

• The FDA has not formally evaluated the effects of aspirin taken during pregnancy. However, it is known that aspirin taken during pregnancy may affect an unborn baby's heart, reduce birth weight, and have other dangerous effects on the unborn baby. Do not take aspirin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT NOT TO USE ASPIRIN DURING THE LAST 3 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY UNLESS SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO DO SO BY A DOCTOR BECAUSE IT MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE UNBORN CHILD OR COMPLICATIONS DURING DELIVERY.
• Aspirin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Other medical conditions:
Be sure to let your doctor know of any medical problems you may have, especially:

• an allergy to aspirin
• an allergy to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), and others
• an allergy to tartrazine
• an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• a coagulation (bleeding) disorder (e.g., hemophilia)
• congestive heart failure
• fluid retention
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• gout
• asthma
• nasal polyps

Other medications:
Be sure to let your doctor know of ALL medications you are taking, especially

• anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), ardeparin (Normiflo), or tinzaparin (Innohep)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin)
• other salicylates such as choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid).

Potential side effects:

• Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
  • black, bloody, or tarry stools
  • nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
  • uncontrolled fever
  • blood in your urine or vomit
  • decreased hearing or ringing in the ears
  • seizures
  • dizziness, confusion, or hallucinations
• Continue medication and talk to your doctor if you experience:
  • heartburn or indigestion
  • faint ringing in the ears
  • drowsiness
  • headache

Brand Names:

• U.S.: Acuprin, Amigesic, Anacin, Anaflex, Ascriptin, Arthritis Pain Formula, Arthritis Strength Bufferin, Aspergum, Aspirtab, Bayer Select Maximum Strength Backache Pain Relief Formula, Bufferin Caplets, Buffinol, Cope,Disalcid, Doan's Regular Strength Tablets, Ecotrin, Empirin, Gensan, Ascriptin, Mobidin, Mono-Gesic, Trilisate, ZORprin
• Canada: Anacin, Antidol, Apo-Asa, Arco Pain Tablet, Arthrisin, Astone, Astrin, Bufferin Caplets, Calmine, Disalcid, Doan's Backache Pills, Dodd's Pills, Dolomine, Entrophen Caplets, Herbopyrine, Instantine, Kalmex, Nervine, Novasen, Sero-Gesic, Tri-Buffered ASA, Trilisate
• U.K.: Aspro; Caprin; Disprin; Phensic
• Australia: Solprin, Disprin, Aspro, Winsprin
• Other commonly used names: acetylsalicylic acid, ASA, choline magnesium trisalicylate, salicylsalicylic acid