Side Effects Of Low Dose Aspirin

NHS medicines information on the common and serious side effects of taking low-dose aspirin.

Like all medicines, low-dose aspirin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of low-dose aspirin happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them.

Mild indigestion

Take your aspirin with food. If the indigestion still does not go away, it could be a sign that the aspirin has caused a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor - they may prescribe something to protect your stomach or switch you to a different medicine.

Bleeding more easily than normal

Because aspirin helps to stop your blood from clotting, it can sometimes make you bleed more easily. For example, you may get nosebleeds and bruise more easily, and if you cut yourself, the bleeding may take longer than normal to stop. Be careful when doing activities that might cause an injury or a cut. Always wear a helmet when cycling. Wear gloves when you use sharp objects like scissors, knives, and gardening tools. Use an electric razor instead of wet shaving, and use a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean your teeth. See a doctor if you're worried about any bleeding.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or do not go away:

Serious side effects

It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking aspirin.

Call your doctor or call 111 now if:

• you are coughing up blood or have blood in your pee, poo or vomit
• the whites of your eyes turn yellow or your skin turns yellow (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), or your pee gets darker - these can be signs of liver problems
• the joints in your hands and feet become painful - this can be a sign of high levels of uric acid in the blood
• your hands or feet swell - this can be a sign of water retention

Stomach ulcers

Aspirin can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it for a long time or in big doses.

Your doctor may tell you not to take aspirin if you have a stomach ulcer, or if you've had one in the past.

If you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer and you need a painkiller, take paracetamol instead of aspirin as it's more gentle on your stomach.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to aspirin .

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of aspirin. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.