Aspirin Chewable Tablets

ASPIRIN (AS pir in) lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots. It may also be used to treat mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and arthritis. It belongs to a group of medications called NSAIDs.

Take this medication by mouth. Chew it completely before swallowing. Take it as directed on the package or prescription label. Do not use it more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Children and teenagers should not use this medication to treat chicken pox or flu symptoms unless directed by a care team.

People 65 years and older may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
• Hearing loss, ringing in ears
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness, fatigue
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Upset stomach

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from heat and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

Do not use this medication if it has a strong vinegar smell.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Anemia
• Asthma
• Bleeding problems
• Diabetes
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Gout
• History of stomach ulcers or bleeding
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low level of vitamin K
• Lupus
• Tobacco use
• An unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cidofovir
• Ketorolac
• Probenecid

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Alendronate
• Bismuth subsalicylate
• Certain medications for diabetes or glaucoma, such as acetazolamide, methazolamide
• Certain medications that prevent or treat blood clots, such as apixaban, clopidogrel, enoxaparin, heparin, rivaroxaban, warfarin
• Flavocoxid
• Herbal supplements, such as feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut
• Medications for gout
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Other aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Pemetrexed
• Sulfinpyrazone
• Varicella live vaccine

If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Visit your care team for regular health checks while on this medication.

If you are treating yourself for pain, tell your care team if the pain lasts more than 10 days, if it gets worse, or if there is a new or different kind of pain. Tell your care team if you see redness or swelling. Also, check with your care team if you have a fever that lasts for more than 3 days. Only take this medication to prevent heart attacks or blood clotting if prescribed by your care team.

Do not take other medications that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen with this medication. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many non-prescription medications contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Always read labels carefully.

This medication can cause serious ulcers and bleeding in the stomach. It can happen with no warning. Tobacco, alcohol, older age, and poor health can also increase risks. Call your care team right away if you have stomach pain or blood in your vomit or stool.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Discuss this medication with your care team if you may be pregnant. Taking this medication after 20 weeks of pregnancy may cause serious birth defects. Use of this medication after 30 weeks of pregnancy is not recommended.