Aspirin 300mg Tablets
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ASPIRIN 300mg TABLETS BP
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take this medicine.
• If you have further questions, please ask your doctor or your pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you personally and you should not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• Keep this leaflet; you may need to read it again.
IN THIS LEAFLET
1. What your medicine does and what it is used for
2. Before you take your medicine
3. How to take your medicine
4. Possible side effects
5. Storing your medicine
6. More information
1. WHAT YOUR MEDICINE DOES AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Aspirin is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug.
Aspirin is used for the following:
• To give effective pain relief from headache and toothache.
• To give symptomatic relief of flu and feverish colds.
• In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute and chronic rheumatic conditions.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICINE
Do not take your medicine if:
• You are (or the patient is) a child under 16 years.
There is a possible association between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome when given to children. Reye’s syndrome is a very rare disease, which affects the brain and liver and can be fatal.
• You are allergic to aspirin, or any other pain relieving anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or salicylates. You may have developed difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or face, itchy skin or runny nose after taking them. The allergic reaction may be displayed as an asthma attack when you have taken any of these medicines.
• You have nasal polyps associated with asthma.
• You have, or have had in the past a stomach or duodenal ulcer, or indigestion.
• You have a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or are taking medicines to thin the blood.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding.
• You are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in section 6 of this leaflet
• You have severe heart failure
• You have severe kidney or liver impairment
If the answer is yes to any of the above, please tell your doctor. Take special care with your medicine
Always tell your doctor before using this medicine if you:
• suffer from tightness in the chest, asthma or allergies
• have kidney or liver problems (aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause salt and water retention and kidney failure, especially in patients with pre-existing kidney problems)
• have a history of gastrointestinal disorders (regular stomach upsets)
• have blood tests for thyroid problems (aspirin can interfere with results of some blood tests)
• have diabetes (high blood sugar)
• have glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6-PD), a rare disorder (taking aspirin may make you more likely to develop problems with red blood cells)
• have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other connective tissue disease
• are anaemic or suffer from gastrointestinal bleeding (may cause anaemia)
• have gout (high levels of uric acid in the blood causing attacks of arthritis)
• are due to have surgery. Aspirin should be stopped several days before surgery.
• suffer from dehydration
• have received varicella (chickenpox) vaccination within the last 6 weeks
• are elderly as you are more prone to adverse effects
Taking other medicines
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine
You should consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are taking any of the following:
• medicines to prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin, heparin, ticlopidine)
•
• medicines to lower blood sugar if you are a diabetic (e.g. insulin, sulphonylureas)
• medicines to treat gout(e.g. probenecid, sulfinpyrazone)
• medicines to treat water retention (e.g. spironolactone)
• medicines used as anti-depressants (e.g. SSRI’s or Venlafaxine)
• medicines used as appetite suppressants (e.g. Sibutramine)
• medicines used as anti-asthma drugs (e.g. Zafirlukast)
• medication for heart problems or to lower blood pressure (e.g. ACE inhibitors)
• medication containing corticosteroids or any pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medicines -if taken with aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding or ulcers in the stomach.
• Ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Methotrexate (medicine used for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and some types of cancer)
• Digoxin (medicine used for certain heart conditions)
• Phenytoin and sodium valproate (medicines used to treat epilepsy)
• Acetazolamide (used to treat build up of pressure in the eyes)
• Metoclopramide (to prevent sickness)
• Mifepristone (to induce abortion)
• Sulphonamides (aspirin may increase their toxicity)
• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Aspirin should be avoided for 6 weeks after vaccination
• Ginkgo biloba (possible increase in risk of bleeding)
Laboratory investigations - aspirin may interfere with some laboratory tests such as urine 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid determinations and copper sulphate urine sugar tests.
Do not take this medicine without first consulting with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
3. HOW TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE
You should take your medicine as directed by your doctor. The pharmacist’s label should tell you how much to take and how often. If it does not or you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not exceed the stated amount. The tablets should be taken with a drink of water. Aspirin may be taken with food to help avoid stomach upset.
The usual doses are as follows:
Adults and children over 16 years
Take 1 to 3 tablets. Take a further 1 to 3 tablets every 4 hours if necessary. Do not take more than 12 tablets in 24 hours.
Elderly
As for adults.
Children
Do not give to children under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor.
If you take more of your medicine than you should
If you take more than the recommended dose, please contact your doctor or nearest hospital immediately.
If you forget to take your medicine
If you forget to take a dose, do not worry. Take the next dose when it is due.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
As with other medicines aspirin can cause side effects.
The following side effects are rare. Stop your medicine immediately and contact you doctor if the following side effects occur:
• allergic symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, large or itchy wheals on the skin, attacks of sneezing and itching eyes.
• stomach ulcers, severe stomach pain or bleeding which can be severe (you may develop bloody or black tarry stools, and vomit blood - looks like coffee grounds)
If you experience any of the following side effects and are worried by them, contact your doctor:
• feeling or being sick
•
• deafness
• diarrhoea
• sweating
• stomach pain, indigestion
• headache and confusion
• dizziness or ringing in your ears
• bruising
• nose bleeds
• increased risk of bleeding following an injury or cut
• passing blood in the urine
• salt and water retention and worsening of existing kidney problems
• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
• coughing up blood
• bleeding in the brain
• liver damage
• blood disorders and anaemia (lowering of red and white blood cells)
• runny nose
• tight chest
• wheezing
Very rarely, changes in normal liver activity have been seen in blood tests.
If you experience any of the above or are concerned about anything or you notice anything unusual contact your doctor.
5. STORING YOUR MEDICINE
This medicine should not be used after the expiry date stated on the pack.
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN.
Store this medicine below 25°C in a dry place in the original pack. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. MORE INFORMATION What your medicine looks like
Aspirin 300mg Tablets BP are white, round, biconvex tablets. They are available in the following pack sizes: 16, 32 and 100 tablets.
What your medicine contains
Aspirin 300mg Tablets BP contains 300mg aspirin BP. The tablets also contain the inactive ingredient maize starch.
The holder of this product licence and company responsible for release of this medicine is
Relonchem Limited, Cheshire House, Gorsey Lane, Widnes, WA8 0RP, UK.
PL 20395/0100
This leaflet was revised in