Warnings & Recalls for Aspirin
Aspirin and Pregnancy
Aspirin is an FDA
pregnancy Category X medicine.
Do not use Aspirin if you are pregnant; this medicine may
damage the heart of the fetus,
decrease the
birth weight, or increase the risk of
infant mortality. Aspirin may pass through breast-milk and could harm a baby that is nursing. If you are breastfeeding consult your doctor before taking Aspirin. Let your doctor know if you are
pregnant or
planning to become pregnant.
General Warnings
Aspirin
should not be used by anyone with the following conditions:
- allergy to Aspirin or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- has recently had gastrointestinal bleeding
- any bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia (a condition in which blood does not clot properly)
Let your doctor know about
all medical conditions you may have, especially:
- any breathing or allergy problems
- stomach ulcers, bleeding or blood clotting problems
- liver or kidney disease
- high blood pressure
- heart disease or failure (congestive heart failure)
- gout
- nasal polyps (inflamed tissue in the nose)
Bayer Pharmaceuticals has produced two over-the-counter products, Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage and Bayer Women's Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium. These drugs are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA warns consumers that these drugs should be taken with supervision from a physician.
Aspirin Interactions
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about
all medicines you are taking. Avoid taking other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs ) and
drinking alcohol. These drugs could increase your risk of
gastrointestinal bleeding. If you must use ibuprofen, take no less than 8 hours before or 30 minutes after using Aspirin. Ask your doctor about safely using other medications.
Aspirin Treatment and Use
Aspirin | acetylsalicylic acid belongs to a category of medicines known as salicylates and is marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals for treating minor to moderate pain and reducing fever. Aspirin may be prescribed for decreasing syptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus disease) and certain disorders which affect the immune system. Off-label uses of Aspirin include reducing pain or aches from the following:
- menstrual cramps
- headaches
- colds
- toothaches
- muscle pain
Aspirin may be prescribed to patients who have a history of heart attacks or chest pain (angina) for preventing a heart attack. Aspirin is also used in preventing ischemic strokes in patients who have a history of this condition.
How Does Aspirin Work?
Asprin works to reduce fevers by interfering with the hypothalamus and keeping signals from causing the body’s temperature to elevate. To alleviate pain, Aspirin prevents the production of prostaglandin and blocks signals of pain from reaching the brain. In this way, the body’s perception of pain is altered and the feeling of pain is reduced.
Aspirin prevents strokes and heart attacks by stopping the production of thromboxane which is responsible for causing platelets in the blood to stick to one another. This prevents clotting and blockage of arteries.
How to Take Aspirin
Aspirin comes in the form of extended-release tablets (for prescribed patients), tablets, oral suspension, enteric-coated, delayed-release tablet, powder, gum, and suppository (to be used rectally). If you have been prescribed Aspirin, take the medicine only as prescribed by your doctor. Prescription Aspirin is typically taken one or two times daily while non-prescribed Aspirin is usually used once daily.
Dosage amount and type depend on patients condition. Be sure to follow all labeled instructions and take only the amount that applies to you.
