Brand name
: MONOSPRIRIN
(Asprin,
ASA, Acetylsalicylic acid, Alka-Seltzer, Ascriptin A/D, Aspergum,
Bayer, Bufferin, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin)
SALICYLATES
(Systemic)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
Acuprin 81 1 Amigesic 8
Anacin Caplets 2 Anacin Maximum Strength 2 Anacin Tablets 2 Anaflex
750 8 Arthritis Pain Ascriptin Arthritis Pain Formula Arthritis
Strength Bufferin Arthropan Aspergum 1 Aspirin Regimen Bayer Adult
Low Dose
Aspirin Regimen Bayer Regular Strength Caplets
Aspir-Low
Aspirtab
Aspirtab-Max
Backache Caplets
Bayer Children's Aspirin
Bayer Select Maximum Strength Backache Pain Relief Formula
Bufferin Caplets
Bufferin Tablets
Buffex
Buffinol
Buffinol Extra
Cama Arthritis Pain Reliever
CMT
Cope
Disalcid
Doan's Regular Strength Tablets
Easprin
Ecotrin Caplets
Ecotrin Tablets
Empirin
Extended-release Bayer 8-Hour
Extra Strength Bayer Arthritis Pain Formula Caplets
Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin Caplets Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin Tablets
Extra Strength Bayer Plus Caplets
Gensan
Genuine Bayer Aspirin Caplets
Genuine Bayer Aspirin Tablets
Halfprin Healthprin Adult Low Strength
Healthprin Full Strength
Healthprin Half-Dose
Magan
Magnaprin
Marthritic
Maximum Strength Arthritis Foundation Safety Coated Aspirin
Maximum Strength Ascriptin
Maximum Strength Doan's Analgesic Caplets
Mobidin
Mono-Gesic
Norwich Aspirin
P-A-C Revised Formula
Regular Strength Ascriptin
Salflex
Salsitab
Sloprin
St. Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin
Tricosal
Trilisate
ZORprin
For quick reference, the following salicylates are numbered to match
the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1. Aspirin (AS-pir-in)§ 2. Aspirin and Caffeine (AS-pir-in and KAF-een)
3. BufferedAspirin 4. Buffered Aspirin and Caffeine
5. Choline Salicylate (KOE-leen sa-LI-si-late)†
6. Choline and Magnesium Salicylates (KOE-leen and mag-NEE-zhum sa-LI-si-lates)
7. Magnesium Salicylate (mag-NEE-zhum sa-LI-si-late)
8. Salsalate (SAL-sa-late)
9. Sodium Salicylate (SOE-dee-um sa-LI-si-late)
† Not commercially available in Canada
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§ Generic name product may be available in Canada
Aspirin is a brand name in Canada; acetylsalicylic acid is the generic
name. ASA, a commonly used designation for aspirin (or acetylsalicylic
acid) in both the U.S. and Canada, is the term used in Canadian product
labeling.Some of the buffered aspirin products may be identified on
the label as Aspirin (ASA), Alumina, and Magnesia or as Aspirin, Alumina,
and Magnesium Oxide.
Description
Salicylates are used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Most salicylates
are also used to relieve some symptoms caused by arthritis (rheumatism),
such as swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. However, they do not cure
arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take them.
Aspirin may also be used to lessen the chance of heart attack, stroke,
or other problems that may occur when a blood vessel is blocked by
blood clots. Aspirin helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming.
However, this effect of aspirin may increase the chance of serious
bleeding in some people. Therefore, aspirin should be used for this
purpose only when your doctor decides, after studying your medical
condition and history, that the danger of blood clots is greater than
the risk of bleeding. Do not take aspirin to prevent blood clots or
a heart attack unless it has been ordered by your doctor .
Salicylates may also be used for other conditions as determined by
your doctor.
The caffeine present in some of these products may provide additional
relief of headache pain or faster pain relief.
Some salicylates are available only with your medical doctor's or
dentist's prescription. Others are available without a prescription;
however, your medical doctor or dentist may have special instructions
on the proper dose of these medicines for your medical condition.
Before Using This Medicine
If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully
read and follow any precautions on the label. For salicylates, the
following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to aspirin or other salicylates, including methyl
salicylate (oil of wintergreen), or to any of the following medicines:
Diclofenac (e.g., Voltaren) Diflunisal (e.g., Dolobid)
Etodolac (e.g., Lodine)
Fenoprofen (e.g., Nalfon)
Floctafenine (e.g., Idarac)
Flurbiprofen, oral (e.g., Ansaid)
Ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin)
Indomethacin (e.g., Indocin)
Ketoprofen (e.g., Orudis)
Ketorolac (e.g., Toradol)
Meclofenamate (e.g., Meclomen) Mefenamic acid (e.g., Ponstel)
Nabumetone (e.g., Relafen)
Naproxen (e.g., Naprosyn)
Oxaprozin (e.g., Daypro)
Oxyphenbutazone (e.g., Tandearil)
Phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin) Piroxicam (e.g., Feldene)
Sulindac (e.g., Clinoril)
Suprofen (e.g., Suprol)
Tenoxicam (e.g., Mobiflex)
Tiaprofenic acid (e.g., Surgam)
Tolmetin (e.g., Tolectin)
Zomepirac (e.g., Zomax)
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any
other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Diet—Make certain your health care professional knows if you
are on a low-sodium diet. Regular use of large amounts of sodium salicylate
(as for arthritis) can add a large amount of sodium to your diet. Sodium
salicylate contains 46 mg of sodium in each 325-mg tablet and 92 mg
of sodium in each 650-mg tablet.
Pregnancy—Salicylates have not been shown to cause birth defects
in humans. Studies on birth defects in humans have been done with aspirin
but not with other salicylates. However, salicylates caused birth defects
in animal studies.
Some reports have suggested that too much use of aspirin late in pregnancy
may cause a decrease in the newborn's weight and possible death of
the fetus or newborn infant. However, the mothers in these reports
had been taking much larger amounts of aspirin than are usually recommended.
Studies of mothers taking aspirin in the doses that are usually recommended
did not show these unwanted effects. However, there is a chance that
regular use of salicylates late in pregnancy may cause unwanted effects
on the heart or blood flow in the fetus or in the newborn infant.
Use of salicylates, especially aspirin, during the last 2 weeks of
pregnancy may cause bleeding problems in the fetus before or during
delivery or in the newborn infant. Also, too much use of salicylates
during the last 3 months of pregnancy may increase the length of pregnancy,
prolong labor, cause other problems during delivery, or cause severe
bleeding in the mother before, during, or after delivery. Do not take
aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless it has been ordered
by your doctor .Studies in humans have not shown that caffeine (present
in some aspirin products) causes birth defects. However, studies in
animals have shown
that caffeine causes birth defects when given in very large doses (amounts
equal to those present in 12 to 24 cups of coffee a day).Breast-feeding—Salicylates
pass into the breast milk. Although salicylates have not been reported
to cause problems in nursing babies,
it is possible that problems may occur if large amounts are taken regularly,
as for arthritis (rheumatism).Caffeine passes into the breast milk
in small amounts.Children—Do not give aspirin or other salicylates
to a child or a teenager with a fever or other symptoms of a virus
infection,
especially flu or chickenpox, without first discussing its use with
your child's doctor . This is very important because salicylates may
cause a serious illness called Reye's syndrome in children and teenagers
with fever caused by a virus infection, especially flu or chickenpox.Some
children may need to take aspirin or another salicylate regularly (as
for arthritis). However, your child's doctor may want to stop the
medicine for a while if a fever or other symptoms of a virus infection
occur. Discuss this with your child's doctor, so that you will know
ahead of time what to do if your child gets sick.Children who do not
have a virus infection may also be more sensitive to the effects of
salicylates, especially if they have a fever or have
lost large amounts of body fluid because of vomiting, diarrhea, or
sweating. This may increase the chance of side effects during treatment.Older
adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the
effects of salicylates. This may increase the chance of side effects
during treatment. Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane)—Salicylates
can keep sulfinpyrazone from working properly for treating gout; also,
taking a salicylate,
especially aspirin, with sulfinpyrazone may increase the chance of
bleedingUrinary alkalizers (medicine that makes the urine less acid,
such as acetazolamide [e.g., Diamox], calcium- and/or magnesium-containing
antacids, dichlorphenamide [e.g., Daranide], methazolamide [e.g., Neptazane],
potassium or sodium citrate and/or citric acid, sodium bicarbonate
[baking soda])—These medicines may make the salicylate less effective
by causing it to be removed from the body more quickly
Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems
may affect the use of salicylates. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
For patients taking aspirin (including buffered aspirin and/or products
containing caffeine) :
Do not use any product that contains aspirin if it has a strong,
vinegar-like odor . This odor means the medicine is breaking down.
If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
If you are to take any medicine that contains aspirin within 7 days after
having your tonsils removed, a tooth pulled, or other dental or mouth surgery,
be sure to swallow the aspirin whole. Do not chew aspirin during this time.
Do not place any medicine that contains aspirin directly on a tooth or gum
surface. This may cause a burn.
There are several different forms of aspirin or buffered aspirin tablets.
If you are using:
o chewable aspirin tablets , they may be chewed, dissolved in liquid, crushed,
or swallowed whole.
o delayed-release (enteric-coated) aspirin tablets , they must be swallowed
whole. Do not crush them or break them up before taking.
o extended-release (long-acting) aspirin tablets , check with your pharmacist
as to how they should be taken. Some may be broken up (but must not be crushed)
before swallowing if you cannot swallow them whole. Others should not be broken
up and must be swallowed whole.
To use aspirin suppositories :
If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill it in the refrigerator
for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the foil wrapper.
To insert the suppository: First remove the foil wrapper and moisten the
suppository with cold water. Lie down on your side and use your finger to push
the suppository well up into the rectum.Dosing—The dose of these medicines
will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the
directions on the label
. The following information includes only the average doses of these
medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your
doctor tells you to do so.The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls
of solution that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the
number
of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the
length of time you take the medicine depend on whether you are taking
a long-acting or a short-acting form of the medicine and the medical
problem for which you are taking the salicylate .
Check with your medical doctor or dentist:
If you are taking this medicine to relieve pain and the pain lasts
for more than 10 days (5 days for children) or if the pain gets worse,
if new symptoms occur, or if redness or swelling is present. These
could be signs of a serious condition that needs medical or dental
treatment.
If you are taking this medicine to bring down a fever, and the fever lasts
for more than 3 days or returns, if the fever gets worse, if new symptoms occur,
or if redness or swelling is present. These could be signs of a serious condition
that needs treatment.
If you are taking this medicine for a sore throat, and the sore throat is
very painful, lasts for more than 2 days, or occurs together with or is followed
by fever, headache, skin rash, nausea, or vomiting.
If you are taking this medicine regularly, as for arthritis (rheumatism),
and you notice a ringing or buzzing in your ears or severe or continuing headaches.
These are often the first signs that too much salicylate is being taken. Your
doctor may want to change the amount of medicine you are taking every day.
For patients taking aspirin to lessen the chance of heart attack,
stroke, or other problems caused by blood clots :
Take only the amount of aspirin ordered by your doctor . If you
need a medicine to relieve pain, a fever, or arthritis, your doctor
may not want you to take extra aspirin. It is a good idea to discuss
this with your doctor, so that you will know ahead of time what medicine
to take.
Do not stop taking this medicine for any reason without first checking with
the doctor who directed you to take it .Taking certain other medicines together
with a salicylate may increase the chance of unwanted effects. The
risk will depend on how much of
each medicine you take every day, and on how long you take the medicines
together. If your doctor directs you to take these medicines together
on a regular basis, follow his or her directions carefully. However,
do not take any of the following medicines together with a salicylate
for more than a few days, unless your doctor has directed you to do
so and is following your progress :
Do not take aspirin for 5 days before any surgery, including dental
surgery, unless otherwise directed by your medical doctor or dentist.
Taking aspirin during this time may cause bleeding problems.
For patients taking buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium salicylates
(e.g., Trilisate), or magnesium salicylate (e.g., Doan's) :
Buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium salicylates, or magnesium
salicylate can keep many other medicines, especially some medicines
used to treat infections, from working properly. This problem can be
prevented by not taking the 2 medicines too close together. Ask your
health care professional how long you should wait between taking a
medicine for infection and taking buffered aspirin, choline and magnesium
For patients using aspirin suppositories :
Aspirin suppositories may cause irritation of the rectum. Check
with your doctor if this occurs.
Salicylates may interfere with the results of some medical tests.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the doctor in charge if you
have taken any of these medicines within the past week. If possible,
it is best to check with the doctor first, to find out whether the
medicine may be taken during the week before the test.
For patients taking one of the products that contain caffeine : Caffeine
may interfere with the result of a test that uses adenosine (e.g.,
Adenocard) or dipyridamole (e.g., Persantine) to help find out
how well your blood is flowing through certain blood vessels. Therefore,
you should not have any caffeine for at least 8 to 12 hours before
the test.
If you think that you or anyone else may have taken an overdose, get
emergency help at once . Taking an overdose of these medicines may
cause unconsciousness or death. Signs of overdose include convulsions
(seizures), hearing loss, confusion, ringing or buzzing in the ears,
severe drowsiness or tiredness, severe excitement or nervousness, and
fast or deep breathing.
Side Effects of MONOSPRIRIN (Asprin, ASA, Acetylsalicylic
acid, Alka-Seltzer, Ascriptin A/D, Aspergum, Bayer, Bufferin, Easprin,
Ecotrin, Empirin)
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. When this medicine is used for short periods of time at low
doses, side effects usually are rare. Although not all of the following
side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects
occur:
Any loss of hearing; bloody urine; confusion; convulsions (seizures);
diarrhea (severe or continuing); difficulty in swallowing; dizziness,
lightheadedness, or feeling faint (severe); drowsiness (severe); excitement
or nervousness (severe); fast or deep breathing; flushing, redness,
or other change in skin color; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or
feeling things that are not there); increased sweating; increased thirst;
nausea or vomiting (severe or continuing); shortness of breath, troubled
breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing; stomach pain (severe or
continuing); swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; unexplained fever;
uncontrollable flapping movements of the hands (especially in elderly
patients); vision problems
Abdominal or stomach pain, cramping, or burning (severe); bloody
or black, tarry stools; headache (severe or continuing); ringing or
buzzing in ears (continuing); skin rash, hives, or itching; unusual
tiredness or weakness; vomiting of blood or material that looks like
coffee grounds
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts
to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional
if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Abdominal or stomach cramps, pain, or discomfort (mild to moderate);
heartburn or indigestion; nausea or vomiting.Trouble in sleeping, nervousness,
or jitters (only for products containing caffeine)
