Introduction
Aspirin is one of the most common go-to over-the-counter drugs to treat minor pain from headaches, muscle aches, toothaches, and menstrual cramps. You can also use it to temporarily lower fever. However, different types of pain relievers have certain considerations. So what type is aspirin?
Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs are a class of drugs. Other NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). They work in a similar way to reduce the amount of prostaglandin your body makes.
Prostaglandin is a natural substance that most cells in your body make. Your cells release prostaglandins when you’re injured. They contribute to your body’s inflammation, which causes a variety of effects, including swelling, fever, and increased sensitivity to pain.
By blocking your body’s production of prostaglandins, NSAIDs such as aspirin can help prevent and relieve these symptoms of injury.
Side effects
Aspirin generally is safe when you use it as directed. However, inflammation helps to protect your body in certain ways. Lowering your prostaglandins can also sometimes cause side effects. You increase your chance of these side effects when you use aspirin for longer than recommended.
Common side effects of aspirin can include:
nausea
vomiting
stomach pain
heartburn
Serious side effects of aspirin are rare, but can include:
Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:hives
rash
swelling of your eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
wheezing or difficulty breathing
Changes in your acid-base balance, which affects how systems in your body work. Symptoms can include:hoarseness
fast heartbeat
fast breathing
cold and clammy skin
Salicylate toxicity. Early symptoms can include:ringing in your ears
hearing loss
Stomach bleeding. Symptoms can include: bloody vomit
vomit that looks like coffee grounds
bright red blood in your stools
black or tarry stools
The risk of stomach bleeding is rare for most people. However, your risk is increased if you:
are 60 years or older
have had stomach ulcers or bleeding
take an anticoagulant (blood thinner) or corticosteroid
take other drugs containing NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and naproxen
have three or more alcoholic drinks every day while taking aspirin
take more than recommended
take aspirin for longer than recommended
Reye’s syndrome warning
Children and teenagers who have chicken pox or flu-like symptoms, or who are recovering from either, should not use aspirin. Doing so increases their risk of a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a serious disease that can affect the brain and liver. It can cause:
vomiting
confusion
double vision
problems talking
weakness
liver irritation
seizures
coma
death
When to ask a doctor
Aspirin is available over the counter, but that doesn’t mean this NSAID is safe for everyone. You should talk to your doctor about aspirin and your safety if you have other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or asthma. Also talk to your doctor about the safety of taking it with other drugs.
Contact your doctor if you take aspirin and have:
any serious side effects
pain that gets worse or lasts longer than 10 days
fever that gets worse or lasts longer than three days
redness or swelling in the painful area
any new symptoms
The following table lists the recommended and maximum dosages for all routes and forms of over-the-counter aspirin for people 12 years and older.
Most people can use aspirin without experiencing side effects. However, it’s important to use it exactly as recommended. Aspirin is an NSAID, so taking too much of it or taking it longer than recommended can increase your risk of some serious side effects. You should always talk to your doctor first if you’re not sure if it’s safe for you to use aspirin. For more information, including the risks, side effects, uses, and action of aspirin and other NSAIDs, check out Healthline’s
.