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Acetylsalicylic acid

Important to know about acetylsalicylic acid for pain or inflammation

Acetylsalicylic acid will reduce your pain, reduce inflammation and lower your fever.
For different types of pain, such as headaches, migraines, sore throats, earaches, muscle pain, joint pain and menstrual complaints. Also with fever, flu and cold.
The tablets, powders and suppositories will reduce your pain within half an hour. These work for 3 to 6 hours. The injection works after 15 minutes. Redness and swelling will diminish within 1 week.
You may experience stomach and intestinal ulcers or bleeding. Are you older than 70, have you previously had a stomach or intestinal ulcer, or are you taking blood thinners? Then you need a stomach protector. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this.
Watch out with alcohol. Alcohol increases the risk of stomach upset.
This drug has many interactions with other drugs. Therefore, let your pharmacist check that it is safe to use acetylsalicylic acid with your other medicines. Also medicines you bought without a prescription.
Are you pregnant or do you want to become pregnant? Ask your doctor if you can take this medicine. This drug can be bad for the baby. DO NOT use in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
Do you want to breastfeed? Then talk to your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk and can be bad for the baby.

What does acetylsalicylic acid do for pain or inflammation and what do I use it for?

Acetylsalicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever . These types of painkillers are also called NSAIDs . It has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing effect.

Acetylsalicylic acid is also used to prevent blood from clotting in the veins. This requires a low dose, namely 30 to 80 mg. You can read more about this application in acetylsalicylic acid as an anticoagulant.

Acetylsalicylic acid in pain-relieving dose is to be used in various types of pain , such as pain caused by influenza or the common cold, with a sore throat , joint pain , muscle pain , menstrual complaints , headaches and migraines .

Pain

Pain comes in different forms. It could be due to damage in your body or if something is not working as it should. The nerves then send a signal to your brain and you feel pain. Sometimes pain has no clear cause and we don’t know where the pain is coming from.

Treatment

Once the cause has been addressed, the pain may decrease or pass on its own. Sometimes the pain does not go away on its own and you have to use a pain reliever. In most cases, acetaminophen is the safest way to treat pain. This has the fewest side effects and usually works well.
Because acetylsalicylic acid also has an anti-inflammatory effect, it can mainly be used for inflammation or when you suffer from painful swelling after an operation.

Effect

Acetylsalicylic acid prevents the pain signal from being transmitted to the brain. In addition, it inhibits inflammation, reducing pain, swelling and redness.
The analgesic effect starts within half an hour. This effect lasts 3 to 6 hours.

Flu

Symptoms

Flu is an infection with the flu virus. You have pain and a high fever. Fever is a response of the body to the viral infections. The temperature can then quickly rise to around 40 ° C. A fever is likely to help fight the infection. Once the body has mastered the disease, the fever subsides. This is usually the case after three to five days.
You may also experience a sudden shivering feeling, muscle pain, sore throat, cough, headache, blocked nose and sneezing. Infection of the nasal cavity can cause a sinus infection. This causes pain in the forehead and around the eyes, especially when bending over. Furthermore, the infection can cause a sore throat.

Treatment

In most cases, flu will go away on its own. You usually do not need to treat a temperature of up to 40 ºC. Do you feel very bad because of the fever or do you suffer from a sore throat, headache and muscle pain? Then paracetamol is the safest medicine.
It does not cause stomach complaints. You can also use acetylsalicylic acid, but this has more side effects and does not work better than paracetamol in the case of flu. You will not get better from this fever-reducing pain reliever.

Effect

Acetylsalicylic acid lowers fever and reduces muscle pain, headache, sore throat and sinus pain.
The analgesic effect starts within half an hour and lasts for three to six hours.
The fever will drop within one hour of use. The fever-reducing effect lasts for about six hours.

Common cold

With a cold, the airways are infected with a cold virus. Infection of the nasal cavity can cause sinus infections. This causes pain in the forehead and around the eyes, especially when bending over. Infection of the throat causes a sore throat.

Treatment A

cold will disappear by itself. You do not have to use any medicines. But if you have serious complaints, such as pain and a sick feeling, it is best to use paracetamol.
This is the safest pain reliever, it will not cause stomach upset.
You can also use acetylsalicylic acid, but this has more side effects and is no better than paracetamol for pain caused by a cold.

Effect

Acetylsalicylic acid reduces pain such as sore throat and sinus pain.
This effect starts within half an hour. This effect lasts for about six hours.

Sore throat

Sore throat can occur with the flu and cold. If you suffer from this, it is best to use paracetamol. This is the safest pain reliever, it will not cause an upset stomach. You can also use acetylsalicylic acid. It has an analgesic effect.

Joint pain

Symptoms

On and around the joints are muscles, tendons, tendons sheaths, joint membranes and bursa.
These can become damaged and inflamed, causing pain, swelling and redness around a joint.
Examples include: bursitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome in the wrist and RSI complaints.
The complaints usually arise because you overload the joint or because the joint is turned in an unnatural direction. Like a sprain.
The complaints also arise from bruises.

Treatment

Avoid movements that hurt. Sometimes it is necessary to temporarily elevate the body part. In case of a bruise or spraining, immediately cool the joint with ice.
You can also protect the joint with a pressure bandage so that you do not make unnatural movement again.
If you have a lot of pain, paracetamol is the safest medicine. If paracetamol is insufficient, you can use an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as acetylsalicylic acid.

Operation

This drug inhibits inflammation, reducing redness, swelling and pain.
The analgesic effect starts half an hour after ingestion and lasts for about three to six hours.
The redness and swelling will subside after a few days to a week.

muscle strain

Symptoms and causes

Cramped muscles are painful and hinder your movements and posture. Usually the pain is in the neck, shoulders or back.
Muscle pain can, for example, arise from cramping, viral infections, bruises, muscle tears or overload.

Treatment

Muscle pain usually resolves on its own within a few days. Consult your doctor if the pain is still present after one to two weeks.
Usually it helps to move the muscles, to massage them, to keep them warm or to warm them up with, for example, a warm bath or shower. In case of muscle pain in the legs or back, it is better to avoid standing for a long time.
If this does not help and you suffer a lot from the pain, paracetamol is the safest medicine.
If paracetamol is insufficient, you can use an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as acetylsalicylic acid.

Menstrual complaints

Symptoms

Menstruation can cause painful stitches or cramps in the lower abdomen.
Sometimes a dull back pain and muscle pain also develops. Menstrual pain lasts from a few hours to a few days.
In some women, the pain is so strong that they cannot continue their normal activities.
Women can also suffer from a lot of blood loss during menstruation. Some women also have headaches or migraine attacks around their period.

Treatment

To relieve symptoms during menstruation, you can: take it easy and ensure relaxation; place a hot water bottle on your stomach or lower back; take a warm bath; the lower back (have) massaged.
If the above solutions do not help enough, you can use a painkiller.
The best medicines for menstrual pain are the anti-inflammatory painkillers ibuprofen and naproxen. They appear to reduce the complaints in eighty percent of the women.
Acetylsalicylic acid reduces menstrual complaints in thirty percent of women.
In addition, these other painkillers cause side effects on the stomach and on blood clotting less often than acetylsalicylic acid.
If your stomach upset you quickly, it is better to use a medicine containing paracetamol. This works especially well with mild menstrual pain.

Effect

Acetylsalicylic acid reduces uterine cramps and pain, such as stomach aches and headaches.
The amount of blood loss can also be decreased by acetylsalicylic acid.
Abdominal cramps and pain decrease within half an hour. The effect lasts for three to six hours.

Headache

The most common type of headache is tension headache.
You suffer from dull or pressing pain in the scalp, temples or neck. Sometimes it feels like there is a tight band around the head.

Cause

There are many causes of tension headaches, such as stress, anxiety or problems.
This form of headache is also often caused by muscle tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, for example due to a cramped working posture.
Other possible causes of headaches are fever, cold (blocked sinuses or sinuses), drinking too much alcohol, side effect of medication, overuse of headache medicines, fluctuations in hormone levels (for example during menstruation, use of the pill, menopause), poor vision, incorrect glasses or problems with teeth or jaw.

Treatment

Headache usually disappears on its own. Sometimes it helps to lie down or take a walk in the fresh air. If this doesn’t help, you can take a pain reliever.
The best and safest pain reliever for most headaches is acetaminophen.
This drug is usually well tolerated, even by people with an upset stomach.
For headaches caused by fluctuations in hormone levels (for example during menstruation, taking the pill or menopause) an anti-inflammatory painkiller, such as acetylsalicylic acid, sometimes works better than paracetamol.

Operation

The analgesic effect starts within half an hour. The effect lasts for three to six hours.

Migraine

Symptoms

Migraine is a special type of headache.
There is then a throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head.
People with migraines are also often nauseous and hypersensitive to light and sound.

Cause

Why one seldom has an attack and the other very often is also unknown.
Sometimes an attack occurs after stress, changes in weather, bright light or glare. Certain foods can also trigger an attack, such as the sweetener aspartame and red wine.
Some cardiovascular drugs can also cause migraines. Women sometimes have seizures around menstruation.
During pregnancy and after menopause, seizures are generally less frequent.

Treatment

The complaints of a migraine attack can usually be treated well with paracetamol in combination with a medicine against nausea.
If acetaminophen does not work enough, you can try an anti-inflammatory pain reliever such as acetylsalicylic acid in combination with a medicine for nausea.
However, acetylsalicylic acid often has side effects on the stomach and on blood clotting.

Effect

Acetylsalicylic acid has an analgesic effect within half an hour.
The effect lasts for three to six hours.

What are possible side effects?

In addition to the desired effect, this can cause drug side effects.

The main side effects are the following.

Sometimes (affects 10 to 30 in 100 people)

Upset stomach: stomach irritation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, feeling full, lack of appetite, belching and heartburn. This is less likely if you take this medicine with food and a glass of water or milk. Do not consume alcohol or other foods that irritate the stomach, such as pungent herbs. The side effects on the stomach and intestines can also occur with suppositories. The medicine then also reaches the stomach wall via the bloodstream. Do you suffer from esophagitis due to rising stomach acid? The complaints can get worse. If you notice this, contact your doctor. People over the age of 70 are more likely to have side effects from this drug. Doctors therefore usually also recommend a stomach protector. Even if you will only be taking this medicine for a few days.
Intestinal complaints : diarrhea, constipation and flatulence. If you suffer from chronic intestinal inflammation , such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, this medication may make the symptoms worse. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is right for you. In addition to this medication, your doctor will usually prescribe a stomach-protecting medication. Even if you will only be taking this medicine for a few days.
Bleeding from injuries for longer as this drug reduces blood clotting. In some operations, the doctor will therefore advise you to stop this pain reliever for a few days before the operation. Discuss this with your doctor.

Rare (affects 1 to 10 in 100 people)

A stomach or intestinal ulcer or other serious damage to the stomach, intestines or esophagus. You will notice nagging pain in the upper abdomen, severe stomach pain or pain behind the breastbone. These damage can cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines. You will notice this by bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools. Then stop using and contact a doctor. In case of stomach bleeding , you may vomit blood. Then contact a doctor immediately. Have you ever had a stomach or intestinal ulcer or any other serious stomach or intestinal disease, such as stomach or intestinal bleeding? You are then more likely to have side effects on the stomach and intestines. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is right for you.
Do you have esophageal stenosis, a narrowing of the esophagus? Do not use regular tablets, but use effervescent tablets. The effervescent tablet reduces the risk of damage to the esophagus. Discuss this with your doctor.
Headache . This usually passes once you have become used to this drug. Are you taking this headache medicine and are you taking it for more days than not? Then you have a good chance of drug-dependent headaches. The headache is then caused by this drug. If you then take a painkiller for that headache again, you can become dependent on it.
Giddiness and dizziness . This usually passes once you have become used to this drug.
Skin rash with itching . Very rarely this rash is caused by allergy. The rash can very rarely worsen or develop under the influence of bright sunlight or UV light from tanning beds. People with psoriasis also run the risk of their symptoms getting worse during use. When using suppositories: itching or irritation of the anus and diarrhea.
Do you have a blood clotting disorder . You are more likely to bleed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.

Very rare (affects less than 1 in 100 people)

Inflammation in the oral cavity and on the tongue.
Painfully swollen and red big toe (gout). Contact your doctor if you have these symptoms. Especially people who have previously suffered from gout are more sensitive to this. Paracetamol and other anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen and naproxen do not have this disadvantage.
Children with the flu or chicken pox have a small chance of a serious side effect on the brain. You will notice this from vomiting, drowsiness, fits and even coma. Therefore, only use acetylsalicylic acid on prescription from a doctor in children up to the age of 18.
Hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid. This can manifest itself as a rash with hives and itching. Then consult your doctor. Very rarely, a severe rash with fever or blisters may develop. Then contact a doctor immediately. Severe hypersensitivity can also manifest itself in breathlessness or a swollen face. Then see a doctor immediately. In either case, you should not use this medicine afterwards. Therefore, inform the pharmacist that you are hypersensitive to acetylsalicylic acid. The pharmacy team can then ensure that you do not receive acetylsalicylic acid or another anti-inflammatory painkiller again. People with asthmaare more likely to be hypersensitive to acetylsalicylic acid. This can manifest itself in a sudden attack of breathlessness. Do not use this medicine anymore. Have you had a breathlessness attack before after using an anti-inflammatory painkiller? Do not use this medication, but contact your doctor.
If you are of black descent or come from the Mediterranean region, it may be (but not necessarily) that you have a congenital enzyme deficiency ( G6PD deficiency ). This medicine can then cause a serious blood disorder in you. Stop using immediately in case of complaints such as fatigue or dizziness. Contact your doctor. Always report the enzyme deficiency in your pharmacy!

Very rarely, after use for several days

Ringing in the ears or hearing loss . Contact your doctor if you have these symptoms.
Blurred or double vision . This usually passes once you have become used to this drug.
Thick ankles or wrists due to fluid retention in the arms and legs ( edema ). Shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Especially people with heart failure can suffer from this. Consult your doctor if your symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fluid retention, increase.
Hair loss .
Psychological complaints , such as fatigue, sleepiness, nightmares, insomnia, restlessness, agitation, confusion, memory disorders, nervousness, anxiety, depression and hallucinations.
Damage to the kidneys . You will notice this in swollen ankles and feet. If this happens, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Blood disorders, inflammation of the pancreas or liver inflammation . Consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: sudden severe pain in the upper abdomen, jaundice, unexplained bruising, extreme tiredness, sore throat with fever and blisters in the mouth. Also talk to your doctor if you have pancreas problems. The complaints can get worse.

Very rare, when used for several weeks

Heart disease , such as more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. The risk of cardiovascular disease is greater in: people with angina pectoris (heart cramp), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, people who smoke and people who have previously had a disease of the heart or vessels, such as a heart attack, cerebral infarction or thrombosis. In these cases, consult with your doctor before taking this medicine for several weeks.

Consult your doctor if you are experiencing too much of any of the above side effects, or if you experience any other side effects that concern you.

Explanation of frequencies

Regular : affects more than 30 in 100 people
Uncommon : affects 10 to 30 in 100 people
Rare : affects 1 to 10 in 100 people
Very rare : affects less than 1 in 100 people

How do I take this medicine?

Always look for the correct dosage on the label of the pharmacy or in the package insert.

How?

If acetylsalicylic acid remains in the esophagus for a long time, it can damage the esophagus.

Tablets: dissolve the tablet in a glass of water. Drink the glass. Then rinse the glass with a little water and drink that too. Are you unable or unwilling to resolve the tablet first? Take it standing or sitting with a whole glass of water.
Effervescent tablets: dissolve the effervescent tablet in a glass of water. Wait a moment for the fizzing to stop and then drink the glass. Then rinse the glass with a little water and drink that too.
Suppositories: insert the suppository into the anus (poop hole). It makes little difference whether you insert the suppository with the tip forward or with the blunt side forward. You can moisten the suppository with a little water. This makes it easier to insert.
Injections: The doctor or nurse will give you the injection.

When?

Tablets, chewable tablets and effervescent tablets . Take this on an empty stomach if you want it to work quickly. Do you have an upset stomach? Or are you using acetylsalicylic acid for a longer period of time? Then it is best to take the tablets during a meal. This will reduce the side effects on the stomach.
Suppositories . It doesn’t matter when you put it in.
Migraine . If you feel a migraine attack on, take this medicine right away. It then has the most effect.

How long?

Usually the use of acetylsalicylic acid is only necessary for a few days. Use it until the complaints have disappeared.

Have you used acetylsalicylic acid without talking to your doctor? In any case, contact your doctor if you still need acetylsalicylic acid after 5 days.

Menstrual complaints , such as pain, excessive blood loss or migraines.
Do you mainly suffer from pain and cramps? Start right away when your period starts and swallow for 2 to 3 days. Do you always suffer from headaches or migraines during menstruation or stop week of the pill? Are you using this drug to prevent such an attack? Start 2 to 4 days before your period starts with this pain reliever. Usually 3 days of use is sufficient. Do you suffer from too much blood loss during menstruation? Then use this medicine for the first 3 days of your period. Start at least one day before you expect your period. After 3 to 6 months, try to see if you still need this medication. Do not use it for once and see if the complaints have already decreased.
Headache . Only use acetylsalicylic acid for a short time. Have you had frequent headaches for more than 3 months, are you taking more than 100 tablets of acetylsalicylic acid a month and have a headache for more than 15 days a month? You may have developed drug-dependent headaches. Then your headache is caused by the acetylsalicylic acid. In that case, contact your doctor for advice.
Migraine . Only use acetylsalicylic acid during a migraine attack. This generally lasts between four and sixteen hours. Consult your doctor if you have persistent headaches or if the migraine attacks occur more than twice a month. You may be better off using a remedy that prevents migraine attacks.
Joint inflammation . For bursitis and tendonitis, you will take this medicine for a few days until the inflammation has healed. You will notice this by a decrease in redness and swelling.
Other pains, such as muscle pain and lumbago. Stop use when the pain has disappeared or is sufficiently tolerable.

What if I miss a dose?

If you still need acetylsalicylic acid, take the dose anyway. Take any next dose at least 3 hours later. In general, adults should not take more than 4 grams of acetylsalicylic acid per day.

Can I drive a car, drink alcohol, and eat or drink anything with this medicine?

driving a car?

Dizziness or dizziness occasionally occurs with this medicine. Do not participate in traffic if this affects you.

drinking alcohol?

Alcohol irritates the stomach, as does acetylsalicylic acid. This may make your stomach upset sooner.
Try drinking alcohol in moderation at first. You can then assess for yourself whether this will bother you a lot. In general, a glass of wine occasionally is not a problem.

eat everything?

This drug causes stomach upset in some people.

Do you suffer from this?

Don’t use foods that irritate the stomach, such as pungent herbs.

Can I use acetylsalicylic acid for pain or inflammation with other medicines?

This drug interacts with other drugs. The text below only lists the active ingredients of these drugs, not the brand names. You can check whether your medicine contains one of these active substances in your package leaflet under the heading ‘composition’.

The painkiller paracetamol can in all cases below, or use.

The drugs with which the main interactions occur are the following.

Other anti-inflammatory painkillers (also called NSAIDs). Using both painkillers at the same time doubles the risk of side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset. The names of other anti-inflammatory pain relievers are aceclofenac, carbasalate calcium, celecoxib, dexketoprofen, dexibuprofen, diclofenac, etoricoxib, phenylbutazone, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indometacin, ketopibrofen, meloxicamindropicam, piroxphenazone, napicroxin, pyroxphenazone, napicroxen, nacroxum, and paroxicamiroxum. Do not use these painkillers at the same time as acetylsalicylic acid.
The anticoagulants acenocoumarol and phenprocoumon. Acetylsalicylic acid enhances the effect of the anti-coagulant. The combination increases the risk of stomach side effects or even stomach bleeding. You should therefore not use acetylsalicylic acid if you also take one of these anticoagulants.
The anticoagulants apixaban, dabigatran and rivaroxaban. These drugs increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach and intestines. Therefore, it is preferable to use paracetamol as a pain reliever. It does not have that disadvantage. Should you still use an anti-coagulant medication with acetylsalicylic acid? Then be extra alert. Consult your doctor if you have stomach complaints. Usually the doctor advises you to take a stomach protector to prevent stomach upset. Consult with your doctor whether this is necessary for you.
Water tablets (chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide, clopamide, epitizide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, bumetanide, furosemide, amiloride, eplerenone, spironolactone and triamterene).
ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II blockers (medicines used for high blood pressure and heart failure), such as enalapril, perindopril, lisinopril and losartan. Acetylsalicylic acid can reduce the effect of these drugs. Discuss this with your doctor. You can safely use paracetamol.
o Are you taking any of these high blood pressure medications and are you now taking acetylsalicylic acid? Your blood pressure may increase if you take acetylsalicylic acid for more than two weeks. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure extra.
o Are you taking any of these heart failure medications and are you now taking acetylsalicylic acid? Your heart failure symptoms may get worse. Contact your doctor if you notice that your feet or ankles are getting thicker or that you become more short of breath again.
o Are you taking one of these medicines after a heart attack or against kidney disease and are you now taking acetylsalicylic acid? Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Beta blockers such as acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, celiprolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, pindolol and propranolol. The effect of these medicines for high blood pressure or heart failure may be reduced by the use of this pain reliever.
o Are you taking the beta blocker for high blood pressure? If you are taking the pain reliever for more than two weeks, see your doctor for extra blood pressure monitoring.
o Are you using the beta blocker for heart failure? Your symptoms may get worse or come back. Contact your doctor if your feet or ankles swell again, or if you become more short of breath again.
o Are you using the beta blocker for another condition? You can use this pain reliever safely.
Certain depression medications , namely citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, and venlafaxine, and certain adrenal hormones (corticosteroids) to take or inject, such as methylprednisolone, prednisolone and triamcinolone. When taking these medications, acetylsalicylic acid can cause additional stomach damage. A stomach protector such as omeprazole prevents this. Consult with your doctor whether this is necessary for you.
Methotrexate . This is used in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism or psoriasis, but also in cancer. Acetylsalicylic acid can increase the side effects of methotrexate. Your doctor will check the amount of methotrexate in the blood more closely. Your doctor may need to reduce the dose of methotrexate.
Cyclosporine , an immunosuppressant drug. The combination can be harmful to the kidneys. Your doctor will check your kidney function more closely if you are taking the painkiller for more than three days.
Acetazolamide , a drug used in glaucoma, among other things. In combination with acetylsalicylic acid, the side effects of both drugs can be stronger. If you are taking acetazolamide you should not use this pain reliever with acetylsalicylic acid. You may then use the painkillers paracetamol, ibuprofen or naproxen. If necessary, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Desmopressin , a drug used for a lack of ADH ( diabetes insipidus ). You are more likely to get water intoxication. The amount of sodium in the blood can also become too low. You notice water intoxication from fluid retention (swollen ankles and feet). Too little sodium is noticeable in severe fatigue, drowsiness, poor approachability and reduced appetite. Then notify your doctor.
Some HIV medications . Ask your pharmacist which medicines this concerns.

Not sure if any of the above interactions are of interest to you? Please contact your pharmacist or doctor.

Can I use this medicine if I am pregnant, planning to become or breastfeeding?

Pregnancy

Are you pregnant or do you want to become pregnant? It is better to use paracetamol for pain. Paracetamol is a safer pain reliever during pregnancy.

Is paracetamol not working enough for your pain?

Then talk to your doctor.

Do NOT use acetylsalicylic acid during the last 3 months of pregnancy.

This drug is then harmful to the baby. The risk of birth defects in the baby is increased. It can also cause problems during delivery.

Are you already using this drug? Then talk to your doctor. You may be able to switch to a different medication. A drug that is safe during pregnancy.

Would you like to use this drug during the first 6 months of pregnancy?

Or if you want to get pregnant? Then talk to your doctor. Even then it is better NOT to use this medicine.

Breastfeeding

Are you taking this medicine for a long time and want to breastfeed? Then talk to your doctor.

You should NOT use this medicine if you are breastfeeding. This drug passes into breast milk and may harm the baby.

The doctor may be able to (temporarily) prescribe a different medicine, which is known to be safe for you to use.

Do you use this drug occasionally ? You can then safely use this drug if you are breastfeeding. However, it is advised to wait 2 to 3 hours after taking the medicine before breastfeeding. There is then hardly any medicine left in breast milk.

Are you on prescription or over-the-counter medications? Would you like to help increase knowledge about medication use during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Then report your experience to pREGnant .

Can I use this medicine if my kidney or liver function is less?

Kidneys

Are your kidneys working less well? Then consult your pharmacist. A different medication may be more suitable. Or whether your kidney function should be checked more often.
Are you on dialysis? Then consult your pharmacist. On dialysis, this drug can cause more side effects. You may need to adjust your medication use.

Lever

Do you have cirrhosis of the liver? Consult with your doctor. You should NOT use this medication. In liver cirrhosis, this drug can cause more side effects. You may be able to switch to a different medication.
For more general information, please read the topic “Impaired kidney function and medicines” . In this theme you can read, for example, what the influence of reduced kidney function is on your medicines. And find out how your pharmacist can help you use medicine safely if your kidneys are not working properly.

Can I use this medicine if I am seriously overweight or have had a stomach reduction?

Stomach reduction

Have you had a stomach reduction? Then talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You should NOT use this medicine. Little is known about the use of this medicine after gastric bypass surgery.
Therefore, it is not certain whether the stomach reduction has an influence on the effect and side effects of this drug. You may be able to switch to a different medication.

Severe obesity

Are you seriously overweight? Then talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Little is known about the use of this drug for serious obesity.
Therefore, it is not certain whether being overweight has an influence on the effect and side effects of this drug.
If you do not know whether you are seriously overweight, you can calculate this. Namely by calculating your BMI (Body Mass Index).
This number indicates whether your weight matches your height. To do this, go to the BMI meter and enter your weight and height.
Is your BMI 40 or more? Or your BMI is 35 or more and you also have other health problems, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes (diabetes). Then you are seriously overweight.

Can I just stop taking this medicine?

You can stop taking acetylsalicylic acid at any time at once.

Under what names is acetylsalicylic acid available for pain or inflammation?

The active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid for pain or inflammation is in the following products:

Aspirin C
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspirin
ACCod
Migrafin
APaC
APC
Roter APC
Alka Seltzer
Sour
Acetosal
Aspegic
Excedrin

Do I need a prescription?

Acetylsalicylic acid has been on the international market since 1899. Another name for acetylsalicylic acid is acetosal. Acetylsalicylic acid is available without a prescription under the brand names Aspirin, Alka Seltzer, Aspro and Aspégic and the unbranded Acetylsalicylic acid. It is available in regular tablets, effervescent tablets and injections.

Small packs of acetylsalicylic acid tablets are usually available without a prescription from pharmacies and drugstores. Slightly larger packages of these strengths are often only available from pharmacies without a prescription. If you buy acetylsalicylic acid from the pharmacy, the pharmacy will check whether it is suitable for you and whether it is compatible with your other medicines.

Injections are only available by prescription.

Acetylsalicylic acid is also used in conjunction with:

vitamin C under the brand name Aspirin C. This is available in effervescent tablets without a prescription.
paracetamol and caffeine under the brand names Excedrin and Roter APC and as the unbranded APC. These are available in tablets without a prescription.
codeine and caffeine under the brand name ACCod. This is available by prescription in suppositories.
metoclopramide under the brand name Migrafin. This drug is available by prescription as a powder.