Aspirin
Cardiovascular
Low-dose for cardiovascular prevention; analgesic at higher doses.
Generic name: Acetylsalicylic acid
Brand names: Aspirin pH 8, Aspegic, Bayer Aspirin
Dosage
Cardiovascular prevention: 75–100 mg once daily. Analgesia: 325–650 mg every 4 hours, max 4 g/day.
Side effects
GI bleeding, gastritis, tinnitus at high dose. Reye syndrome in children with viral illness.
Contraindications
Active peptic ulcer, bleeding disorder, children <16 with viral illness, aspirin/NSAID allergy.
Description
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet cyclooxygenase-1, suppressing thromboxane A2 for the platelet's lifespan. Low-dose (75–100 mg) is standard secondary prevention after MI or stroke; routine primary prevention has narrowed in recent guidance.