Patient leaflet - Aspirin 75 mg dispersible tablets
1. What Aspirin Dispersible tablets are and what they are used for
Aspirin Dispersible tablets belong to a group of medicines which have analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory (inflammation reducing) and anti-pyretic (temperature reducing) properties. Aspirin also acts on the blood, helping to prevent the formation of blood clots.
These tablets may be used to help prevent heart attacks and stroke in patients who have previously suffered such events, in patients who have unstable angina and following by-pass surgery.
2. What you need to know before you take Aspirin Dispersible tablets
Do not take Aspirin Dispersible tablets if you:
- are allergic to acetylsalicyclic acid (Aspirin) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6), salicylates or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You may have developed difficulty breathing, asthma attacks or fainting, a runny nose, itchy skin or swelling after taking aspirin or a NSAID previously (see section 6)
- have a stomach ulcer or a history of ulcers or indigestion
- have bleeding in the stomach and/or intestines, or other kinds of bleeding such as bleeding from the blood vessels of the brain
- have nasal polyps associated with asthma
- have haemophilia or other blood clotting disorder or are taking medicines to thin the blood
- have severe liver, kidney or heart failure
- are in the third trimester of pregnancy
- are taking methotrexate (more than 15mg a week)
- are taking probenecid (used to treat gout)
Warnings and precautions
Talk to you doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Aspirin Dispersible tablets if you:
- have asthma, chronic respiratory disease or allergies
- experience heavy periods
- have high blood pressure
- have a history of stomach ulcers or excessive bleeding
- have heart, liver or kidney problems or gout
have a severe skin rash with flushing, fever, blisters or ulcers (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
Treatment should be stopped immediately.
- have an overactive thyroid gland
- are dehydrated
have anaemia or suffer from a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
(G6PD). This can cause episodes of anaemia after eating certain foods such as fava beans (favism)
- have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other connective tissue disease
- are elderly
- have had any disorders affecting blood vessels in the brain
- received a varicella (chickenpox) vaccination within the last 6 weeks
Other important warnings:
- taking painkillers for headaches too often or for too long can make them worse.
Surgery and tests
If you need to have an operation, including having your teeth removed or blood and urine tests, tell your doctor or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Children and adolescents
Aspirin can cause Reye’s Syndrome when given to children. This is a very rare disease but it can be fatal. Do not give aspirin to children aged under 16 years, unless your doctor tells you to.
Other medicines and Aspirin Dispersible tablets
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
If you are taking aspirin regularly you should seek advice before taking any other medicine (including other medicines you may have bought).
Do not take Aspirin Dispersible tablets if you are taking any of the following medicines (see section ‘Do not take Aspirin Dispersible tablets’):
- Probenecid (used to treat gout)
- Methotrexate (used to treat cancer or rheumatoid arthritis)
The effect of treatment may be influenced if aspirin is taken at the same time as some other medicines, especially:
- warfarin, heparin, phenindione, dipyridamole, clopidogrel (thinning of the blood/prevention of clots)
- ciclosporin, tacrolimus (organ rejection after transplantation)
- diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE-inhibitors and acetazolamide (high blood pressure)
- anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen, or steroids (pain and inflammation)
- metoclopramide or domperidone (to prevent sickness)
- deferasirox (for patients with excessive iron levels following blood transfusion)
- corticosteroids
- digoxin (for heart problems)
- iron salts (for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia) carbonates (for treatment of peptic ulcers and reflux), antacids (for treatment of indigestion and heartburn)
- antidiabetics
- phenytoin or sodium valproate (to treat epilepsy)
- mifepristone (to induce abortion)
- medicines which can cause hearing problems (vancomycin)
- medicines to treat depression such as lithium or SSRIs (eg sertraline, paroxetine)
- varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Aspirin should be avoided for 6 weeks after vaccination
- herbal medicines containing ginkgo biloba.
- 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.
Aspirin Dispersible tablets with food, drink and alcohol
Drinking alcohol may possibly increase the risk of gastrointestinal (stomach and/or gut) bleeding and prolonged bleeding time.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
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.
Avoid taking Aspirin Dispersible tablets during pregnancy, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy or whilst breast-feeding, unless your doctor tells you to.
Driving and using medicines
Aspirin tablets should not affect your ability to drive and use machines.
Aspirin Dispersible tablets contain lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Aspirin Dispersible tablets contain sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take Aspirin Dispersible tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
Avoid alcohol whilst taking this medicine.
Disperse the tablet(s) in a glass of water and drink.
Use in adults
The recommended dose for long-term use is 1-2 tablets (75-150mg) once a day. In some circumstances a higher dose may be appropriate, especially in the short-term, and up to 4 tablets (300mg) a day may be used on the advice of a doctor.
Use in children and adolescents
Use in children and adolescents under 16 years old is not recommended (see section 2 under ‘Children and adolescents’ for further information).
You must talk to your doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.
If you take more Aspirin Dispersible tablets than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include ringing in the ears, hearing problems, headache, spinning sensation, confusion, feeling or being sick, stomach pain, high temperature, sweating, dehydration, feeling restless, fits, hallucinations, low blood sugar, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness.
If you forget to take the tablets
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it and then take the next dose at the right time. Do not take more than one dose in any 4 hour period.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking this medicine and contact a doctor immediately if you have any of the following:
- Severe allergic reactions (blistered skin, swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, fainting, shock)
itchy skin rash caused by allergic reaction- pale or red irregular raised patches with severe itching
(hives/urticaria)
Severe rash involving reddening, peeling and swelling of the skin that resembles severe burns
(Lyell’s syndrome) or severe rash, blisters, or red patches on the skin (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), irregular red patches on the skin of the hands and arms (erythema multiforme) there may be associated symptoms of aching joints and fever
- Bleeding on the brain (sudden severe headache, fit, changes in vision, speaking, understanding or coordination, weakness in an arm or leg
- Stomach ulcers or bleeding which can be severe (you may develop bloody or black tarry stools, severe stomach pain and vomit blood), stomach irritation (mild stomach pain, heartburn and feeling or being sick). Fatalities have occurred
- Changes in numbers and types of blood cells, reduced number of red and white blood cells – seen in blood tests (symptoms include pale yellow skin and weakness or breathlessness, bruising more easily and increased susceptibility to infections)
- Liver problems including hepatitis (inflammation of the liver causing yellowing of the skin or eyes or tiredness, pain in abdomen, joint or muscles)
- Salicylism - if you take large doses for a long time you may develop symptoms of salicylism, these include: dizziness, ringing or buzzing in the ear, deafness, sweating, feeling or being sick, headache and confusion.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you notice any of the following side effects or notice any other effects not listed:
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- increased bleeding tendencies
- indigestion.
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
- runny nose.
Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
- anaemia
- difficulty breathing or wheezing, asthma attacks
- heavy periods
- feeling or being sick
- disorder characterised by blood spots, bruising and discolouring to skin (haemorrhagic vasculitis or purpura)
- red tender lumps developing under the skin (Erythema nodosum).
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- nosebleeds, bleeding of the gums, which may be prolonged. (Please advise doctor or dentist if surgery is planned)
- low levels of protein in the blood (can be caused by nephritic syndrome)
- increased blood enzyme levels (as seen in blood test).
- Gout (high levels of uric acid in the blood)- causing crystals to deposit in joints of hands/feet causing pain (Hyperuricemia)
- headache
- feeling of dizziness or spinning (vertigo)
- hearing loss, ringing or buzzing in the ears
- swelling of blood vessels resulting from loss of blood. (characterised by rash, fever, sweating, fatigue, weight loss)
- worsening of asthma
- reduced kidney function
- salt and water retention
- diarrhoea
- reduced liver function.
Additional side effects in children and adolescents
Aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome when it is given to children. This is a very rare disease but it can be fatal. Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age unless your doctor tells you to. Reye’s syndrome causes severe liver and brain damage.
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 Website: http://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.
5. How to store Aspirin Dispersible tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store the tablets below 25°C in a dry place.
Do not use Aspirin Dispersible tablets after the expiry date stated on the label/carton/bottle. 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 to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Aspirin Dispersible tablets contain
- The active substance (the ingredient that makes the tablets work) is 75mg aspirin (also known as acetylsalicylic acid).
The other ingredients are citric acid, lactose, maize starch, saccharin sodium, calcium carbonate
(E170).
What Aspirin Dispersible tablets look like and contents of the pack
Aspirin Dispersible tablets are white, circular, flat, bevelled-edge, uncoated tablets impressed “C” and the identifying letters “AY” on one face.
Pack sizes are 1000 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Accord, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK.
This leaflet was last revised in December 2021