Low-dose aspirin tablets

About aspirin

What is low-dose aspirin?

Low-dose aspirin is aspirin taken at a lower, regular dose, usually 75mg. It’s sometimes called baby aspirin.

What is low-dose aspirin used for?

Low-dose aspirin helps reduce your risk of blood clots.

You may be prescribed it if you have:

• had a heart attack
• had a stroke
• angina
• coronary heart disease
• peripheral arterial disease.

It can also be given to people who are pregnant to help lower the risk of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.

How does aspirin work?

Aspirin is a type of medicine called an antiplatelet. Sometimes people call them “blood thinners” but antiplatelets do not thin your blood, they make the platelets in your blood less sticky.

Blood clots happen when tiny fragments of cells in your blood, called platelets, stick together. They can be helpful as they stop cuts from bleeding too much.

But if a blood clot blocks an artery supplying your heart or brain with blood, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Aspirin helps stop the clotting process by blocking an enzyme called COX1. This makes platelets less sticky so they cannot stick together to form a blood clot.

Side effects

What are the side effects of aspirin?

Side effects from aspirin may include:

• stomach irritation
• bleeding more easily than usual
• shortness of breath or wheezing.

Like all medicines, low-dose aspirin can cause side effects, but most people do not experience any.

If you’ve started taking aspirin recently it’s worth bearing in mind that side effects with any new medicine often improve over time or even disappear.

When should I get help?

Serious side effects from aspirin are rare, but you should call NHS 111 if you have:

• a swollen face, lips, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing
• tummy pain, blood in your sick or poo that’s black, tar-coloured and sticky.

How and when to take low-dose aspirin

How and when do I take this medicine?

Low-dose aspirin is usually prescribed in 75mg tablets. Most people will take 1 tablet, once a day.

Aspirin can either be:

• Dispersible – you dissolve it fully in water before you take it.
• Enteric coated – it's a coated tablet that you swallow whole with water.

Your doctor will tell you more about your medicine and how to take it. You can also speak to your local pharmacist if you have questions about aspirin.

What happens if I forget to take my medicine?

If you forget to take your medicine and:

• It's only a short time after your usual dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time.  
• It’s nearly time for your next dose, do not take the one you missed. Wait and take your next dose at the usual time. 

How long do I take low-dose aspirin for?

If you’re taking low-dose aspirin to reduce the risk of blood clots and prevent a heart attack or stroke, you’ll usually take it for a long time. Some people will take it for the rest of their life.

Things to avoid if you’re taking low-dose aspirin

What should I avoid if I am taking low-dose aspirin?

There are foods, drinks and medicines you need to limit or avoid if you’re taking aspirin.

This includes:

• anticoagulants, such as warfarin or apixaban
• some steroid medicines
• some antidepressants
• methotrexate
• other anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen.

You’ll also need to avoid drinking too much alcohol, as this can increase your risk of bleeding and other side effects.

Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for a full list of foods and medicines to avoid.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant.

Get help with aspirin

• Our cardiac nurses can help answer your questions on aspirin, Call, email or live chat with them on our Heart Helpline.
• Check if you can get free prescriptions or help paying for your prescriptions.
• Sign up to our Heart Matters magazine for online information packed with health and lifestyle information.