What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- continual buzzing or ringing in ears
- heartburn or indigestion
- mild to moderate abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or discomfort
- nausea or vomiting
- severe or continuing abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Diabetes: Aspirin can increase the effects of certain diabetes medications such as glyburide. High doses of aspirin may also enhance the effects of insulin and therefore reduce levels of blood glucose. The insulin needs of people with diabetes may change. People with diabetes should monitor their blood glucose more closely.
Gout: Gout can be made worse by aspirin, and the effects of medications used to treat gout can be lessened by aspirin.
Alcohol: Patients who consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day may have an increased risk of bleeding while taking aspirin.
Other medical conditions: Aspirin should not be taken by anyone who has any of the following, unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks:
- bleeding tendencies or blood clotting disorders
- reduced kidney function
- severely reduced liver function
- significant anemia (low blood iron levels)
Immediate medical attention: Get immediate medical attention if you have hearing loss; vision changes; flushing, redness or other change in skin color; or difficulty swallowing.
Surgery: Aspirin should be stopped at least one week before elective surgery because of the risk of bleeding. If you are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about when you should stop taking aspirin.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking aspirin, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children, teenagers, and young adults: Children, teenagers, and young adults should not take aspirin when they have chickenpox, influenza, or flu-like illnesses as it increases their risk for Reye's syndrome, a serious health condition that may cause liver or brain damage.
Seniors: Seniors may be at a higher risk for side effects from aspirin. They may need a lower dose of the medication.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way aspirin works, be affected by aspirin, or increase the risk of side effects:
- ACE inhibitors (e.g., ramipril)
- antacids
- anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)
- anti-diabetes medications (e.g., glyburide, insulin)
- beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol)
- corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)
- diuretics (e.g., acetazolamide)
- methotrexate
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, indomethacin)
- phenytoin
- probenecid
- sulfinpyrazone
- valproic acid
- vitamin C
- zidovudine
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Medications other than those listed above may also interact with this medication.