It is familiar, available without a prescription, inexpensive and versatile. Aspirin, a salicylate drug, is also the veteran in the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory health drugs.
These days, however, most people turn to ibuprofen or take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain or reduce fever. Aspirin isn’t for everyone, though.
This is what you should know about the pros and cons of its consumption:
5 advantages and disadvantages of aspirin for health
Aspirin can help prevent a second heart attack or stroke
Aspirin prevents blood clots from forming in blood vessels and blocks blood supply to the heart and brain (as well as other parts of the body). That can help prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Previously, many doctors recommended that even healthy people take a daily low-dose aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. But with evidence that the risks of bleeding outweigh the benefits for people at low risk of cardiovascular disease, it is no longer routinely recommended for people without a history of or elevated risk factors for heart disease.
May reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related condition that involves high blood pressure and potentially serious complications for the mother and fetus. Recently, the US Preventive Services Task Force. reaffirmed its recommendation for low-dose aspirin after 12 weeks’ gestation to reduce the risk of preeclampsia among people at high risk.
Aspirin is recommended for some people with diabetes
Certain people with diabetes may benefit from taking daily low-dose aspirin for primary prevention. However, that may depend on whether the patient has other cardiovascular risks. (Having diabetes itself increases the risk of heart disease.)
May increase the risk of brain hemorrhage
Aspirin is a blood thinner: it makes the blood platelets less sticky, so to speak. Due to this mechanism, the drug makes the blood less likely to clot. This is especially risky if bleeding occurs in the brain, which can be fatal.
Aspirin can interact with other drugs.
Aspirin (like many drugs) can interact with a variety of medications, increasing or decreasing their effects.
Here are some of the drugs aspirin interacts with:
- Anticoagulants. Medications such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) that prevent blood clots.
- Direct-acting oral anticoagulants. Drugs like Eliquis, Pradaxa and Xarelto are being used more and more. Which could inhibit the blood’s ability to form blood clots.
- Salicylates. Medications like Pepto-Bismol and Pamprin Cramp Formula are salicylate medications (like aspirin). Which could increase side effects.
- NSAID analgesics. Medicines like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin. The Food and Drug Administration warns that the cardiovascular benefits of aspirin may be diminished by ibuprofen.
- Other products that contain aspirin. Certain combination medications have aspirin among the active ingredients. For example, some migraine medications contain aspirin, caffeine, and a sedative.
Therefore, it is vital that if you are looking to use a product, it is important not only to read the label itself, but also, you should not hesitate to take it to the pharmacist’s counter, who will help you decipher what it really contains.
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