What is this medicine?

ASPIRIN (AS pir in) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat mild pain and fever. This medicine is also used as directed by a doctor to prevent and to treat heart attacks, to prevent strokes, and to treat arthritis or inflammation.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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

• anemia
• asthma
• bleeding problems
• child with chickenpox, the flu, or other viral infection
• diabetes
• gout
• if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low level of vitamin K
• lupus
• smoke tobacco
• stomach ulcers or other problems
• an unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin, tartrazine dye, other medicines, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Chew it completely before swallowing. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug 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 medicine to treat chicken pox or flu symptoms unless directed by a doctor.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you are taking this medicine 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.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cidofovir
• ketorolac
• probenecid

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
• alendronate
• bismuth subsalicylate
• flavocoxid
• herbal supplements like feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut
• medicines for diabetes or glaucoma like acetazolamide, methazolamide
• medicines for gout
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like enoxaparin, heparin, ticlopidine, warfarin
• other aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• pemetrexed
• sulfinpyrazone
• varicella live vaccine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.