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Aspirin (AS
· per · in)
Did you know?
Aspirin is one of the
oldest OTC pain relievers on the market.
How
does it work?
Aspirin works by slowing down the body’s production of a
pain-causing substance called “prostaglandin.” Experts also believe
aspirin can protect people with heart disease by preventing platelets from sticking together, thereby
preventing dangerous blood clots.
Where will I
find aspirin?
Classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
(NSAID), aspirin is used
alone or as an active ingredient
in many OTC
and Rx
medications.
It is used for fever reduction, and to treat pain due to muscular aches,
arthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps and inflammation.
For a partial list
of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that contain aspirin, click here.
For a partial list
of prescription medicines that contain aspirin, click here.
For additional
important information about drug interactions, click here.
Can aspirin
help my heart?
Aspirin is the only
over-the-counter pain reliever recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular
problems in people who have unstable angina, or who have suffered a
heart attack or a transient ischemic attack (known as a
“TIA” or “mini-stroke”). It is estimated that 26 million
Americans now take low dose aspirin for their hearts. You should
consult with your doctor to find out whether aspirin
therapy is
appropriate for you to prevent recurrent heart attacks and strokes.
Click here for aspirin
dosage information for heart protection.
How much aspirin can I take for
pain?
For pain relief, experts recommend
that adults take no more than 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day.
For more
information about taking aspirin during pregnancy, click here.
How much aspirin can I take for
my heart?
For heart protection, experts
recommend low doses of aspirin of between 75 and 325 mg once daily.
Consumers are most familiar with taking 81 mg per day, which is the
amount in one “baby aspirin.”
Talk
to your doctor before taking aspirin for your heart to make sure
it’s right for you.
And make sure you check the strength of the pills you’re taking by
looking at the label.
Click
here for a sample aspirin label.
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