Should You Be Taking Aspirin?

A Brief History of Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid

This small pill actually packs a pretty good punch when it comes to its medicinal properties. It was originally derived from willow bark and has reportedly been used for over 3500 years for medicinal purposes.

Other Names: ASA (acetylsalicylic acid). Related compounds: salicylic acid (metabolite), salicylates (chemical class). See common brand names below.

Aspirin

Aspirin Uses, Common Dosages and Potential Side Effects explores many aspects of taking aspirin.

Common Uses of Aspirin

General: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, blood thinner

Respiratory: Aspirin helps relieve fever and aches associated with colds or sore throat.

Cardiovascular: BLOOD THINNER: Helps decrease cardiac events (heart attacks) by decreasing clotting

Gastrointestinal: Toothaches

Musculoskeletal: Muscle and joint aching, arthritis, inflammation

Cancer: Aspirin’s strongest cancer‑preventive evidence is for colorectal cancer. Research on stomach and esophageal cancer is weaker and not strong enough for clinical recommendations (1)(2)

Neurological: Headaches. It also helps decrease the effects of stroke caused by clotting.

Forms: Aspirin is available in several forms, including tablets and rectal suppositories. It also comes in enteric‑coated, buffered, and extended‑release formulations. Buffered aspirin (such as Bufferin) combines aspirin with an antacid to reduce stomach irritation. Enteric‑coated aspirin is marketed as gentler on the stomach, but Mayo Clinic reports that the coating does not reliably prevent ulcers or GI bleeding. In fact, enteric coating can reduce absorption and make aspirin less effective as a heart‑attack and stroke‑prevention medication.

Herbal Forms: See Willow

Aspirin Dosage depends on what it is being used for and the potential for side effects.

Common doses:

• 325 mg - 650 mg every 4 - 6 hours as needed (max 4 gm/daily) - For pain, fever, and inflammation

• 162 mg - 325 mg once - At the onset of chest pain, if you think you may be having a      heart attack (take aspirin and call 911) - if the aspirin is not easy to find, call 9-1-1 

• 81mg-325 mg daily - For heart attack prevention (to take or not to take - that is the question): You risk ulcers and bleeding, or hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke if you take it, or you can risk having a heart attack, blood clots, or embolic stroke if you do not take it.

• 75-325 mg for TIA (transient ischemic attack)/embolic stroke prevention [stroke caused by a blood clot]

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Common Aspirin Products

This is an over-the-counter medication with many brand names. The chemical or generic name is acetylsalicylic acid (look for this; it is far less expensive than the brand). However, most people call it by its original brand name, "Aspirin," because it's much easier to say.

Many common brands of plain aspirin are as follows:

• Bayer Aspirin (classic pure aspirin; most widely recognized brand)

• Bayer Chewable Aspirin (chewable form; still pure aspirin)

• Bayer Low‑Dose Aspirin (81 mg; pure aspirin)

• Ecotrin (enteric‑coated pure aspirin)

• Empirin (pure aspirin; less commonly used today)

• St. Joseph Low‑Dose Aspirin (81 mg; pure aspirin)

• Aspergum (chewable gum containing pure aspirin)

• Sodol (pure aspirin; older brand, still technically aspirin-only)

• Generic “Aspirin” tablets (store brands like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target — all pure aspirin)

Common medications that contain aspirin:

• Anacin (aspirin + caffeine)

• Bufferin (aspirin + antacid)

• BC Powder (aspirin + caffeine)

• Goody’s Powder (aspirin + acetaminophen + caffeine)

• Excedrin (aspirin + acetaminophen + caffeine)

• Vanquish (aspirin + acetaminophen + caffeine)

• Alka‑Seltzer Original (aspirin + sodium bicarbonate)

• Alka‑Seltzer Plus (some formulations contain aspirin; others do not — label check required)

• Pepto‑Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate — a salicylate, not aspirin, but same chemical class)

Aspirin-Containing Prescription Products

• Aggrenox (aspirin + dipyridamole)

• Percodan (oxycodone + aspirin)

• Fiorinal (butalbital + aspirin + caffeine)

• Fiorinal with codeine (butalbital + aspirin + caffeine + codeine)

Potential Side Effects and Contraindications to Aspirin

Before using aspirin, check for side effects, potential interactions, and recommended dosages.

Side Effects

• Ulcers / GI bleeding

• Heartburn

• Stomach cramping

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bleeding

• Easy bruising

• Kidney problems

  
  

Contraindications

• Buffered aspirin may reduce absorption of certain medications (fluoroquinolones like Cipro/Levaquin, tetracyclines, iron supplements, digoxin — due to the antacid component)

• Hemorrhagic stroke or head injury (risk of brain bleeding)

• Active ulcers or GI bleeding

• Kidney disease

• Dengue fever (increases bleeding risk)

• Children and teens under 16 (risk of Reye’s syndrome)

  
  

  EXPLORE THE PROS AND CONS OF ASPIRIN USE FOR PREVENTION-Aspirin Uses and Side Effects

  
  

  Aspirin – to take a daily dose or not to take it. That is the question. Daily aspirin is always a “risk versus benefits” decision. If your healthcare provider tells you to take aspirin daily (unless you have an ulcer or active bleeding), it’s because they know your medical history. If, after reading this, you have questions, discuss them with your medical professional. I know plenty of people who take a baby aspirin not because their healthcare provider recommends it, but because they’ve heard that “it’s good for you.” The truth is, it depends on your health history—and sometimes your family history. Here is a brief breakdown.

Surprisingly, aspirin really does thin your blood—even a tiny 81 mg baby aspirin is quite effective, which means you may bleed or bruise more easily. Aspirin stays in your system for up to 10 days. Some studies suggest that a person may experience temporary rebound clotting (a short‑term increase in platelet activity) if they suddenly stop taking aspirin.

Let's look at the risks versus benefits:

RISKS:

• Aspirin can make you bleed — anywhere from the stomach to the brain to the nose. It is especially risky for people who have had stomach ulcers or a stroke caused by a brain bleed.

• Asthma: aspirin can make asthma worse in aspirin‑sensitive individuals.

• Excessive alcohol use (more than three drinks/day): increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding when combined with aspirin.

• People 70 years or older (except those with cardiovascular disease): older adults have a higher tendency to bleed.

• Taking other NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen, diclofenac, or oral steroids increases the chance of a gastrointestinal bleed.

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure: aspirin can worsen kidney function, and kidneys help regulate blood pressure.

• Kidney disease: aspirin can make it worse.

• Trauma: increases bleeding risk.

• Do not take aspirin if you are taking other blood thinners (Plavix, Coumadin, Eliquis, Xarelto) unless your healthcare provider advises you to do so.

• DO NOT GIVE TO KIDS UNDER 16 (some sources recommend under 19), especially during viral illness. Aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome, a serious neurological condition.

  
  

​​​BENEFITS:

• Anti‑clotting effects that help reduce the risk of certain arterial clots, including clot‑related stroke and heart attack.

• Secondary prevention after a heart attack — aspirin is standard therapy to help prevent another one.

• Helpful for people with a strong family history of early heart attack, especially when heart attacks occurred at a young age.

• Reduces recurrence risk after a thrombotic stroke (a stroke caused by blood clots).

• Atrial fibrillation (“a‑fib”) discussion point: If you have a‑fib, talk to your healthcare provider. (Aspirin is not recommended for stroke prevention in a‑fib, but your provider can guide you based on your situation.)

• Cancer‑related benefit: Aspirin has the strongest evidence for colorectal cancer prevention (1)

• May help reduce recurrence risk after certain blood clots or pulmonary embolism, but only after completing anticoagulation and under medical guidance.

  
  

It’s important to understand aspirin’s uses, common dosages, and potential side effects. Once you know the facts, the next step is weighing the pros and cons with your healthcare provider to decide whether a daily dose is right for you. For many people, it’s a careful balance—but making an informed decision with your providermatters most.