Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is used to treat mild to moderate pain, and also to reduce fever or inflammation. Aspirin is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.
What special precautions should I follow?
Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to aspirin, other medications for pain or fever, tartrazine dye, or any other medications.
Tell your doctor if you often have heartburn, upset stomach, or stomach pain and if you have or have ever had ulcers, anemia, bleeding problems such as hemophilia, or kidney or liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, you plan to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding.
If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking aspirin.
Aspirin side effects:
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, peptic ulcers, hemorrhage.
Renal
Renal side effects have included hematuria, renal failure, proteinuria, cirrhosis.
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects have included thrombocytopenia, increased blood fibrinolytic activity, pancytopenia.
Central nervous system side effects have included dizziness, headache, coma, lethargy, cerebral edema.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects have included hyperpnea, pulmonary edema, and tachypnea.
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects have included hives, rash.
What other information should I know?
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor.
