Aspirin (oral): What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Aspirin

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aspirin?

Aspirin should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, or if you have:

• a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
• a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia; or
• an allergy to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.

Before taking aspirin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma or seasonal allergies;
• stomach ulcers;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure;
• gout; or
• nasal polyps.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take aspirin.

If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, avoid also taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen may make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin (non-enteric coated form).

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby's heart, and may also reduce birth weight or have other dangerous effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking aspirin.

Aspirin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Last updated:	September 11, 2008