Examples
|
| Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin | aspirin |
How It Works
Aspirin works quickly (within 15 minutes)
to prevent the formation of blood clots. This decreases the chance that a blood
clot will form and block a narrowed heart artery, leading to a heart attack or
stroke.
Why It Is Used
Aspirin can be used after mitral valve
surgery to reduce the risk of blood clots forming.
How Well It Works
Aspirin is effective in preventing
the formation of clots in people who have specific heart problems that make
clot formation more likely. But aspirin is less effective than the
medicine warfarin (Coumadin).
Side Effects
Side effects of aspirin include:
- Inflammation of the stomach
(gastritis).
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Allergic
reaction.
- Bruising and bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain (rarely)
or other internal organs of the body.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
If you have mitral valve surgery,
your doctor will probably prescribe other blood thinners. Do not take aspirin
along with these without your doctor's permission. Always inform your doctor of
any medicines or dietary supplements that you are using.
Brand-name aspirin is no more effective than generic or store brands.
Aspirin is sometimes combined with another medicine like an
antacid (such as Ascriptin).
Aspirin may be coated to help
prevent stomach upset (such as Bufferin).
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a document?) to help you understand this medication.