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Acetylsalicylic acid is used to relieve mild to moderate pain; reduce fever, redness, and swelling; and to help prevent blood from clotting. It is used to relieve discomfort caused by numerous medical problems, including headache, infections, and arthritis. It is also used to reduce the risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Larger doses of Acetylsalicylic acid are used to treat gout. Acetylsalicylic acid is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Acetylsalicylic acid comes as a regular, coated, extended-release (long-acting), chewable, and effervescent tablet; capsule; and gum to take by mouth and a suppository to use rectally. Acetylsalicylic acid is often taken without a prescription. If your doctor prescribes Acetylsalicylic acid for you, you will receive specific directions for how often you should take it. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Acetylsalicylic acid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not break, crush, or chew extended-release tablets and do not open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. If regular Acetylsalicylic acid tablets cause a bad taste or aftertaste or burning in the throat, try taking coated tablets to avoid these problems. Regular, coated, and extended-release Acetylsalicylic acid tablets and capsules should be swallowed with a full glass of water or milk or after meals to avoid stomach upset. Chewable Acetylsalicylic acid tablets may be chewed, crushed, dissolved in a liquid, or swallowed whole; drink a full glass of water, milk, or fruit juice immediately after taking these tablets. An oral liquid form of Acetylsalicylic acid can be prepared by dissolving effervescent tablets (Alka-Seltzer) according to the directions on the package. To insert an Acetylsalicylic acid suppository into the rectum, follow these steps: Remove the wrapper. Dip the tip of the suppository in water. Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.) Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments. Do not stand up for at least 15 minutes. Then wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities. Adults should not take Acetylsalicylic acid for pain for more than 10 days (5 days for children) without talking to a doctor. Acetylsalicylic acid should not be taken by adults or children for high fever, fever lasting longer than 3 days, or recurrent fever unless under a doctor's supervision. Do not give more than five doses to a child in a 24-hour period unless directed to do so by a doctor. |