Patient leaflet - Alka-seltzer Original
1. WHAT ALKA-SELTZER® ORIGINAL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
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8 pt (1.23 mm) Braille translation
Alka-Seltzer Original are effervescent tablets which dissolve in water to give a sparkling solution.
The active substance is aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). It is used for the treatment of pain and reduction of fever and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Alka-Seltzer Original can be used for the:
- Treatment of mild to moderate pain including headache, migraine, backache (including lumbago), nerve pain (neuralgia and sciatica), period pain, toothache and sore throat.
- Symptomatic relief of colds and influenza.
- Relief of rheumatic pain (arthritis), muscle tenderness and stiffness (including fibrositis), muscular aches and pains, the pain of joint swelling and stiffness, strains and sprains. • Effective reduction of high temperature.
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Optima, Minion Pro
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE ALKA-SELTZER® ORIGINAL
Packaging site Bitterfeld DE
Patient Information Leaflet / Insert [PIL]
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Additional notes
UI Number: 1600155
Vendor information
DO NOT take Alka-Seltzer Original if you:
Are allergic (hypersensitive) to aspirin, any other salicylates
(eg aloxiprin) or any of the other ingredients of Alka-Seltzer Original (see Section 6).
Have history of hypersensitivity reactions (eg asthma,
rhinitis, urticaria) induced by pain relieving or anti-inflammatory medicines (eg NSAIDS or salicylates). • Have severe kidney or liver problems.
- Have severe heart problems.
Have a disorder which causes excessive bleeding such as
haemophilia.
Have, or have had, a stomach or duodenal ulcer. • Are on a high dose of methotrexate (15mg per week or
more). If you are not sure, check with your doctor. Also see ‘Other medicines and Alka-Seltzer Original’.
- Are in the last 3 months of your pregnancy.
- Are breastfeeding.
When taking aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) serious allergic reactions which may include chest pain and even heart attack (Kounis syndrome) have been reported (see Section 4). Stop taking Alka-Seltzer Original and seek medical care immediately when you notice chest pain with allergic reactions (such as skin rashes, shortness of breath).
v 2.0 Packpool swiss GmbH
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Warnings and precautions
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Talk to your doctor before taking Alka-Seltzer
Original if you:
Are allergic (hypersensitive) to any other pain relieving,
anti-rheumatic or anti-inflammatory medicines (eg NSAIDS). For more information see section 4 ‘Possible Side Effects’. • Suffer from tightness in the chest or asthma.
Have low uric acid excretion, which is commonly associated
with gout.
Have a history of gastrointestinal disorders (regular stomach
upsets).
Have a deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(G6PD), since you may experience anaemia.
Have kidney, liver, heart or blood circulation problems. • Are about to have surgery. Before the operation tell the
doctor or surgeon that you are taking aspirin. • Are in the first 6 months of pregnancy.
If you are not sure whether any of the above apply to you, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Alka-Seltzer Original.
Children:
Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome when it is given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease, which can be fatal. For this reason aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years, unless your doctor tells you to.
Other medicines and Alka-Seltzer Original:
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Aspirin can affect the way in which some medicines work. These medicines include:
- Medication to prevent blood clotting (eg warfarin, heparin, ticlopidine).
- Medication to treat heart problems or to lower blood pressure (eg ACE inhibitors or digoxin).
- Medication to treat gout.
- Diuretics (to treat water retention).
- Medication to treat epilepsy (eg sodium valproate, phenytoin).
Medication to lower blood sugar if you are diabetic. • Methotrexate (to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis,
Crohn’s disease and some types of cancer).
- Any pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medicines. • Some antidepressants known as SSRIs (eg fluoxetine, paroxetine).
- Medication to treat Addison’s disease (eg corticosteroids except hydrocortisone).
- Corticosteroids
Alka-Seltzer Original with alcohol:
Avoid taking alcohol while taking Alka-Seltzer Original.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility:
Do not take Alka-Seltzer Original if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy as it could harm your unborn child or cause problems at delivery. Aspirin can cause kidney and heart problems in your unborn baby. It may affect your and your baby’s tendency to bleed and cause labour to be later or longer than expected.
You should not take this product during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and advised by your doctor.
Do not take Alka-Seltzer Original if you are breastfeeding. The product belongs to a group of medicines which may impair the fertility in women. This effect is reversible on stopping the medicine. Speak to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are trying for a baby.
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Alka-Seltzer Original contains sodium:
This medicine contains 477 mg sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each tablet. This is equivalent to 23.85% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
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3. HOW TO TAKE ALKA-SELTZER® ORIGINAL
Follow the directions below closely. You should ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure how to use this medicine.
Make sure you follow the dosage instructions and do not take more than the stated dose.
NPI/TL number
DART part number AW.PRE.CH-80228-01 SKU/FG number
SKU/FG description
Brand name
ALKA-SELTZER Marketed country(ies) United Kingdom [GB]
Alka-Seltzer Original tablets must always be dissolved in water before use.
Adults and children over 16:
Two tablets dissolved in half a glass (100ml) of water may be taken every 4 hours as required. You should not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Not recommended in children under 16.
Do not take Alka-Seltzer Original for more than 3 days in a row. If you do not get better, talk to your doctor.
If you take more Alka-Seltzer Original than you should:
If you think you have taken too many tablets you should go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or contact your doctor immediately. Take this leaflet with you and any packaging to show what you have taken.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
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Like all medicines Alka-Seltzer Original can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking Alka-Seltzer Original and go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or doctor immediately:
An allergic reaction. Signs of allergic reaction may include:
difficulty in breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, skin rashes or itching, large or itchy wheals on the skin, attacks of sneezing, runny nose and itching eyes or water retention, heart racing.
Skin reddening, blistering of lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling. • Mild stomach pain and heartburn. These are the most
common side effects but can usually be avoided if aspirin is taken with food.
Stomach ulcer or perforation, stomach bleeding, which may
result in black or tarry stools, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting. • Dizziness or ringing in the ears.
Increased bleeding/blood thinning (if you cut or injure
yourself), including bruises, nose bleeds, bleeding gums.
- Internal bleeding which may result in anaemia causing weakness, increased tiredness and pale skin.
- An asthma attack if you are asthmatic and sensitive to aspirin, breathing difficulties (bronchospasm). • Changes in normal liver activity in blood tests (very rare). • Runny nose, blocked nose.
- Kidney problems.
- Frequency not known: Acute myocardial ischaemia (painful heart condition caused by lack of blood flow to the heart) with or without myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurring as part of an allergic reaction (Kounis syndrome).
Reporting of side effects:
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Packaging site Bitterfeld DE
Patient Information Leaflet / Insert [PIL]
5. HOW TO STORE ALKA-SELTZER® ORIGINAL
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Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in a dry place. This product should be stored in its original carton.
This product is packaged in pouches containing 1 or 2 tablets. If the pouch is damaged or if a tablet is powdery or discoloured, do not use the tablet.
Do not use Alka-Seltzer Original after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the foil pouch. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Additional notes
UI Number: 1600155
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION
What Alka-Seltzer Original contains:
Vendor information
The active substance is aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) (324mg per tablet).
v 2.0 Packpool swiss GmbH
The other ingredients are sodium hydrogen carbonate and citric acid.
See Section 2 for sodium advice.
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What Alka-Seltzer Original looks like and contents of the pack:
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Alka-Seltzer Original comes in cartons containing 2, 8, 10, 12, 20 or 30 white effervescent tablets packaged in foil pouches. Not all 
pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Bayer plc
400 South Oak Way
Reading, RG2 6AD
UK
Manufacturer:
Bayer Bitterfeld GmbH
OT Greppin
Salegaster Chaussee 1
06803 Bitterfeld-Wolfen
Germany
This leaflet was last revised in June 2026.
Alka-Seltzer® is a registered trademark.
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