PEBC: What You Need to Know: Acetylsalicylic Acid

Indications:

-Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (no longer recommended for primary prevention as risk of bleed exceeds benefit)

-Acute pain

Dose:

-for secondary prevention: low dose - usually 81 mg once daily

-for pain: 500 to 1000 mg every 4 to 6 hours, maximum 4000 mg/day

Adverse Effects:

-bleeding risk: more common with higher doses and longer durations

-gastric irritation and ulcers: take with food, may consider proton pump inhibitor for gastric protection

-caution in hypertension, chronic kidney disease, asthma

-Reye’s Syndrome in children: should not be used under 18 years old

Drug Interactions:

-increased bleeding risk when combined with other antiplatelets (ticagrelor, clopidogrel) or anticoagulants (rivaroxaban, apixaban)