ASPIRIN 300 MG TABLETS BP - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET

• 1. What Aspirin is and what it is used for

• 2. What you need to know before you take Aspirin

• 3. How to take Aspirin

• 4. Possible side effects

• 5. How to store Aspirin

• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. what aspirin is and what it is used for

Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that work by relieving pain and reducing inflammation, high temperature and fever.

Your medicine is for effective relief from: mild to moderate pain including headache, migraine, sharp nerve pain (neuralgia), toothache, sore throat, period pains and aches and pains, symptomatic relief of sprains, strains, rheumatic pain, nerve pain of the lower back or legs (sciatica), lower back pain (lumbago), chronic muscle pain, sometimes with tiredness and skin sensitivity (fibrositis), muscular aches and pains, joint swelling and stiffness, influenza, feverishness and feverish colds.

2. what you need to know before you take aspirin

Please read the following information.

Do not take Aspirin if you:

• are allergic to aspirin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in section 6
• are under the age of 16
• are receiving anticoagulant therapy
• have ever had a stomach ulcer, perforation or bleeding.
• suffer from haemophilia (your blood does not clot well) or from gout
• are in late stages of pregnancy
• are breast feeding

Warnings and Precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aspirin if you:

• suffer from asthma, allergic disease, dehydration, liver or kidney problems or G-6-PD deficiency (an hereditary condition leading to low red blood cell counts).

Do not give to children under 16 years unless on the advice of a doctor. There is a possible association between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome when given to children. Reye’s syndrome is a very rare disease, which affects the brain and liver and can be fatal. For this reason aspirin should not be given to children aged under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor.

Other medicines and Aspirin

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:

• Medicines that reduce blood clotting (warfarin)
• Other NSAIDS
• Steroid hormones (corticosteroids)
• Water tablets
• Anti-sickness treatments (metoclopramide)
• Treatments for epilepsy (phenytoin, valproate)
• Certain cancer treatments (methotrexate)
• Blood pressure lowering treatments (ACE inhibitors)
• Antacids
• Treatment of gout (sulfinpyrazone, probenecid)
• Treatments for leg pain when walking (cilostazol)
• Treatment of some depressive disorders (SSRIs, venlafaxine)
• Metamizole (substance to decrease pain and fever) may reduce the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on platelet aggregation (blood cells sticking together and forming a blood clot), when taken concomitantly. Therefore, this combination should be used with caution in patients taking low dose aspirin for cardioprotection.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

Do NOT take Aspirin Tablets if you are in the last 3 months of your pregnancy or you are breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

3. how to take aspirin

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.

Do not exceed the stated amount. The tablets should be taken with a drink of water. Aspirin may be taken with food to help avoid stomach upset.

The recommended doses are as follows:

Adults and children over 16 years

Take 1 to 3 tablets. Take a further 1 to 3 tablets every 4 hours if necessary. Do not take more than 12 tablets in 24 hours.

Elderly

As for adults.

Children

Do not give to children under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor.

If you take more of your medicine than you should

If you take more than the recommended dose, please contact your doctor or nearest hospital immediately.

If you forget to take your medicine

If you forget to take a dose, do not worry. Take the next dose when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, your medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

You can reduce the chances of experiencing side effects by using the minimum dose required. Side effects may be more serious in elderly patients.

If you experience any of the following serious effects STOP taking this medicine immediately and contact your doctor or pharmacist:

• Stomach ulceration or perforation: Symptoms could include severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood (or liquid with what looks like coffee grounds), blood in the faeces (stools/motions) or passing black stools.
• Severe allergic reactions: Symptoms could include difficulty breathing, skin rash or swollen facial features.
• Breathing problems: Wheezing and breathing difficulties may be triggered in patients suffering from or with a previous history of asthma.

Other possible side effects

If any of the side effects gets serious or if you notice any side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist:

• Occasionally the blood does not clot well, which may result in easy bruising or bleeding.
• Aspirin may trigger gout in people prone to it.
• Other side effects include indigestion, heartburn, feeling or being sick, changes in skin colour and a runny nose.

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 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.

5. how to store aspirin

This medicine should not be used after the expiry date stated on the pack.

KEEP OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN.

Store this medicine below 25°C in a dry place in the original pack.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Aspirin looks like:

Aspirin 300mg Tablets BP are white, round, biconvex tablets. They are available in the following pack sizes: 16, 24, 32 and 100 tablets in blister PVC packs and 16, 25, 32, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 tablets in containers.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

What Aspirin contains

Aspirin 300mg Tablets BP contains 300mg aspirin BP. The tablets also contain the inactive ingredient maize starch.

The holder of this product licence and company responsible for release of this medicine is Relonchem Limited, Cheshire House, Gorsey Lane, Widnes, WA8 0RP, UK.

UK PL 20395/0100

This leaflet was revised in January 2020.