Acetylsalicylic Acid, Oral/Rectal

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: salicylate analgesic (painkiller)

Generic and brand names: acetylsalicylic acid; aspirin; aspirin; A.S.A.; Aspergum; Aspirin Enteric Coated; Aspirin, Extended Release; Bayer Aspirin; Bayer Children's Aspirin; Easprin; Ecotrin; Ecotrin Adult Low Strength; Ecotrin Maximum Strength; Empirin; Extra Strength Bayer Enteric 500 Aspirin; Halfprin 81; Halfprin 162; Maximum Bayer Aspirin; Norwich Aspirin; Norwich Extra Strength Aspirin; Regular Strength Bayer Enteric Coated; St. Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin; ZORprin (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is in a class of drugs called salicylates. It is used to reduce fever and relieve pain and inflammation. It may be used to treat arthritis.

Salicylates can cause serious side effects such as Reye's syndrome in children and adolescents with viral infections such as the flu or chickenpox. Ask your healthcare provider before giving this medicine to children with flu symptoms or poxlike skin blisters.

Aspirin is also used to help prevent and treat heart attacks and strokes.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Some forms of this medicine are available without a healthcare provider's prescription.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergy to any medicine or to tartrazine dye
• anemia, hemophilia, or any other blood disorder or bleeding problems
• asthma
• chronic itching
• diabetes
• gout
• heart disease or high blood pressure
• liver or kidney problems
• nasal polyps
• problems with alcohol abuse
• stomach problems such as ulcers or heartburn.

Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any nonprescription products, to avoid the risk of taking an overdose. Many medicines for pain, fever, colds, and arthritis contain aspirin or salicylates. Check the labels of all nonprescription products before you take them. If you cannot tell if you are taking more than the recommended dosage per day, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not take aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered by your healthcare provider. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine according to the directions on the package or as your healthcare provider recommends. This medicine usually works best when taken with food. Take it with a full glass (8 ounces) of water to lessen throat and stomach irritation. If you are taking this medicine for arthritis, take it regularly.

If you are taking this medicine to prevent a heart attack or stroke, do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Also talk with your healthcare provider before you take other pain medicines. Ibuprofen or naproxen may make this medicine less effective. Your provider can tell you how much time you should allow between taking aspirin and taking other medicines.

This medicine may come in different forms. If you have extended-release or enteric-coated tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Swallow them whole. Ask your pharmacist if you have enteric-coated or extended-release tablets.

If you cannot take aspirin orally, this medicine also comes in suppository form for rectal use.

To use the suppository:

Wash your hands before using this medicine. Remove the foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with water or water-based lubricating jelly. If the suppository is too soft to insert easily, run cold water over it or put it in ice water until it is firm. If it is too dry or hard, moisten it with warm water. Lie on your left side and bend your right knee up toward your chest. Gently push the suppository into your rectum so it is deep enough not to come out. Wait for a strong urge to empty your bowels before going to the bathroom.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take other pain relievers or drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves. They may increase the risk of stomach upset.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Do not use aspirin if it smells like vinegar. It can cause serious side effects.

Be aware of the risk of overdose. If you become seriously ill (severe dizziness, confusion, headache, ringing in the ears), get medical help right away.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk of side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe diarrhea, bloody urine, black tarry stools, unusual bruising or bleeding, nausea, vomiting, severe dizziness or drowsiness, vision problems, severe stomach pain, ringing in your ears, unexplained fever or confusion, severe headache.

Other: Heartburn, mild stomach upset.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• acetazolamide (Diamox)
• antacids (take this medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antacid)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), ticlopidine (Ticlid), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), pentoxifylline (Trental) and dalteparin (Fragmin)
• corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone, hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisone (Orasone), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort)
• diabetes medicines such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glimepiride (Amaryl), tolbutamide, and tolazamide (Tolinase)
• diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), spironolactone (Aldactone), and torsemide (Demadex)
• herbal remedies such as cat's claw, dong quai, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, red clover, horse chestnut, green tea, and ginseng
• medicines to treat gout such as probenecid (Benemid) and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane)
• methotrexate (Folex)
• NSAIDS such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis)
• other medicines that contain salicylates such as Alka Seltzer, Pepto Bismol, and Ben Gay
• valproic acid (Depakote).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.