Patient leaflet - Aspirin 300 mg Caplets
1.What Aspirin Caplets are and what they are used for
The name of your medicine is Aspirin Caplets. The active ingredient in your medicine is
Aspirin. Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin works by preventing the release in the body of substances which cause pain, inflammation and fever.
Aspirin Caplets are used for the symptomatic relief of mild to moderate pain, including migraine, toothache, neuralgia, headache, sore throat, period pains, aches and pains
(including muscle pains and backache). For the symptomatic relief of influenza, feverishness and feverish colds. For the symptomatic relief of sprains, strains, rheumatic pain, sciatica, lumbago, fibrositis, joint swelling and stiffness.
2. What you need to know before you take Aspirin Caplets
There is a possible association between aspirin and Reye’s Syndrome when 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 aged under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor.
Do not take Aspirin Caplets if you:
- are allergic (hypersensitive) to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). Symptoms may include rhinitis (runny nose), swollen face, mouth or tongue, itchy rash or asthma attack;
- have or have had a stomach ulcer;
- have a condition where your blood does not clot properly (e.g. haemophilia);
- are taking medicines to thin your blood such as warfarin;
- have or have had gout;
- are in the last 3 months of pregnancy or are breast-feeding.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children under 16 years unless on the advice of a doctor.
Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Aspirin Caplets
- if you have asthma, or suffer from allergies;
- if you have problems with your heart, kidneys or liver;
- if you are dehydrated;
- if you have nasal polyps (inflamed swellings inside the nose);
- if you suffer from indigestion (dyspepsia);
- if you have an infection;
- if you have high blood pressure;
- if you have a lack of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD);
- if you are elderly;
- if you are diabetic.
You should let your doctor know you are taking aspirin tablets, particularly if you are going to have an operation, as you may need to stop taking your tablets several days before the operation.
Your blood, kidney and liver should be monitored during prolonged use of aspirin as
blood, kidney and liver disorders may develop.
Other Medicines and Aspirin Caplets
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. The following medicines can affect or be affected by Aspirin:
- Mifepristone (used to terminate pregnancy). You should not take aspirin until eight to twelve days after mifepristone. If taken with aspirin this medicine may not be as effective.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen or diclofenac sodium (used for pain relief and to treat inflammation) or Corticosteroids e.g. prednisolone and betamethasone (used to treat allergy or inflammation): if taken with aspirin you may have more severe side effects e.g. increased risk of bleeding or ulcers in the stomach. If you suddenly stop taking corticosteroids you may develop aspirin poisoning.
- Metoclopramide (used to treat nausea and vomiting): it may increase the effect of aspirin.
- Adsorbents e.g. kaolin (for diarrhoea) and Antacids e.g. aluminium hydroxide and magnesium carbonate (used to treat indigestion): these medicines may reduce the effect of aspirin.
- Medicines known to affect the clotting of your blood: if you take one of these medicines below with aspirin you may increase the likelihood of bleeding.
- Coumarins e.g. warfarin, phenindone or heparins (blood thinning medicines), streptokinase.
- Clopidogrel and ticlopidine (used to prevent strokes and heart attacks).
- Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, used to treat high blood pressure.
- ACE Inhibitors or Angiotensin-II Receptor Antagonists e.g. captopril, enalapril maleate, valsartan, losartan (used to lower high blood pressure): taken with aspirin these medicines may not be as effective and you may suffer from kidney problems.
- Antidepressants (used to treat depression) e.g. Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as venlafaxine): if taken with aspirin you may increase the likelihood of bleeding.
- Medicines to control epilepsy e.g. phenytoin and valproate: aspirin may increase the effect of these medicines. If you take sodium valproate with aspirin you may increase the likelihood of bleeding
- Zafirlukast (used to prevent or treat asthma).
- Spironolactone (diuretic) water tablets, Probenicid or Sulfinpyrazone (used to treat gout): if taken with aspirin these medicines may not be as effective. Phenylbutazone may reduce the effect of aspirin.
- Methotrexate (used in the treatment of arthritis, Crohn’s disease and cancer) or Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors e.g. acetazolamide (used in the treatment of glaucoma, epilepsy and excess water retention): if taken with aspirin the side effects of these medicines may become more severe.
- Steroids such as cortisone and hydrocortisone, used to treat allergic conditions.
- Thiopental (used as an anaesthetic).
- Gold compounds (used to treat rheumatoid arthritis).
- Insulin and other drugs used to treat diabetes.
- Sulphonamides, such as sulphamethoxazole, used to treat infections.
- Vitamin C.
- Cilostazol (for leg pain that occurs when walking due to poor circulation): the dose of aspirin should not be greater than 80mg a day.
Aspirin may affect the results of thyroid function tests.
Aspirin Caplets with alcohol
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Aspirin.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
Do NOT take Aspirin Caplets if you are in the last 3 months of your pregnancy or you are breast-feeding.
It is not recommended to take Aspirin Caplets during the first six months of pregnancy unless you have been told to do so by your doctor.
Taking this medicine may impair fertility in women, making it more difficult to get pregnant. This effect is reversible on stopping the medicine.
3. How to take Aspirin Caplets
For oral use.
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse have told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
Adults (including the elderly and children over 16 years):
The recommended dose is one to three caplets swallowed whole with water. The dose should not be taken more frequently than every four hours and not more than four times in any 24 hour period.
Maximum dose: 12 caplets (3.6g) every 24 hours in divided doses.
Take the caplets with or immediately after food to reduce the risk of getting stomach and bowel irritation.
Do not exceed the stated dose.
If symptoms persist for more than three days, consult your doctor.
The elderly
A reduction in total daily dose may be advisable.
Children and Adolescents
Aspirin should not be given to children aged under 16 years of age unless on the advice of a doctor.
If you take more Aspirin Caplets than you should
If you take more Aspirin Caplets than you should contact your nearest hospital casualty department or doctor immediately. Take the medicine or this leaflet with you to show the doctor.
Symptoms of an overdose include vomiting, dehydration, tinnitus, vertigo, headache, nausea, dizziness, restlessness, heart failure, breathing failure, deafness, sweating, warm extremities with racing pulse, increased breathing rate and hyperventilation.
If you forget to take Aspirin Caplets
- If you forget to take a dose, do not worry. Take the next dose when it is due.
- Do not take double the amount to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience the following side effects while taking your medicine, you should stop taking your tablets and tell your doctor straight away:
- allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) which may include lumpy skin or hives, skin rash, swelling of eyelids, face, lips, mouth or tongue, or sudden wheeziness, or induce or worsen asthma attacks;
- you suffer from severe or persistent indigestion, stomach upset or pain, you may develop ulcers or bleeding from the stomach which can cause severe stomach pain, bloody or black tarry stools or vomiting blood.
Other possible side effects:
- stomach upset and feeling sick;
- an increased tendency to bleed;
- anaemia and other blood disorders;
- mouth ulcers;
- slight blood loss which may result in iron-deficiency anaemia during long term use;
- diarrhoea;
- blood in the urine;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (fever, rash sore mouth and eyes, joint and muscle aches);
- severe skin problem with shedding of the upper layer;
- you may succumb to infections more easily;
- you may bruise more easily.
Some patients have developed liver problems (particularly with high doses).
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.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Aspirin Caplets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original container in order to protect from moisture.
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 to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Aspirin Caplets contain
The active substance is aspirin. Each caplet contains 300mg of aspirin.
The other ingredients are maize starch, microcrystaIline cellulose and calcium stearate.
What Aspirin Caplets look like and contents of the pack
Aspirin Caplets are white, capsule shaped tablets. Each pack of Aspirin Caplets contains 8,
10, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 30, 32, 48, 50, 96 & 100 caplets.
Not all pack sizes are marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Medipoint UK Ltd, 30 Hatfeild Mead, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5PE, United Kingdom.
Manufacturer
CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ash Road North, Wrexham, LL13 9UF, UK.