Dispersible Asprin Tablets belong to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It prevents blood cells, or platelets, from producing thromboxane. It is this substance that can cause platelets to clump together and start off the process of blood clotting. This can be dangerous, as it could cause a blockage that cuts off the blood supply to an organ. A blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the heart or brain can cause a heart attack or stroke.
People with angina, or who have already suffered a heart attack or stroke, are at risk of having another because of the atherosclerosis in their arteries and in this case, low dose aspirin is used to lower the risk of this.
This dose of aspirin is not for pain relief.
Published in the Daily Mail December 7 2010:
Taking an aspirin every day cuts the risk of dying from a range of common cancers, according to a major study. The study has led to the 100-year-old painkiller - costing just 1p a tablet - being hailed as 'the most amazing drug in the world'.
Experts say healthy middle-aged people who start taking low-dose aspirin around the age of 45 or 50 for 20 to 30 years could expect to reap the most benefit, because cancer rates rise with age.
In addition, a 75mg dose - a quarter of a standard 300mg tablet - helps prevent heart attacks and strokes even in people who have not been diagnosed with cardiovascular problems. Millions of heart patients who already take low-dose aspirin on doctors' orders to ward off a second heart attack or stroke will be getting built-in cancer protection.
Professor Peter Rothwell, of the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, who headed the latest study of almost 26,000 patients, is convinced the ground rules have changed. He said: 'These findings provide the first proof in man that aspirin reduces deaths due to several common cancers' .
'Previous guidelines have rightly cautioned that in healthy middle-aged people the small risk of bleeding on aspirin partly offsets the benefits from prevention of strokes and heart attacks, but the reductions in deaths due to several common cancers will now alter this balance for many people.'
After five years of taking aspirin, death rates fell by 34 per cent for all cancers and 54 per cent for gastrointestinal cancers.
Professor Alastair Watson, of the University of East Anglia, said: 'This study provides strong evidence that taking regular aspirin for more than five years can help prevent development of a number of other forms of cancer, including lung, pancreas, oesophageal and prostate cancers' .
'It also indicates that the longer aspirin is taken for, the greater the benefit. It is important that people know aspirin can cause dangerous bleeding in the stomach in some patients. People wishing to take aspirin should first discuss it with their GP.'
Always check with your GP before taking aspirin
How to take Aspirin Dispersible Tablets 75mg:
Adults: The usual dose for long-term use is 1-2 tablets (75-150mg) once daily. 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.
Children: Not recommended.
These tablets should be dissolved or mixed with water before taking with or after food. Swallow the tablets immediately after dispersing them in water. If symptoms persist you should consult your doctor.
If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember and then your next dose at the usual time. Never take two doses at the same time. If you take more tablets than recommended above, contact your nearest hospital casualty department, or tell your doctor, immediately. Take any remaining tablets and the container with you.
Dispersible Aspirin Tablets 75mg
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Dispersible Aspirin Tablets 75mg
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. It gives you important information about your medicine. If you want to know more, or you are not sure about anything, ask your pharmacist or doctor. Keep the leaflet until you have finished the medicine.
WHAT’S IN YOUR MEDICINE
Dispersible Aspirin Tablets are white, uncoated tablets which contain 75mg of the active ingredient Aspirin.
The tablets also contain: citric acid, lactose, maize starch, saccharin sodium, calcium carbonate (E170).
Dispersible Aspirin Tablets are available in a pack size of 28.
Dispersible Aspirin Tablets is one of a group of medicines which have analgesic (pain relief ), anti-inflammatory (reduce swelling) and antipyretic (reduce temperature) properties. Aspirin also acts on the blood helping to prevent the formation of blood clots.
ABOUT YOUR MEDICINE
The name of your medicine is Dispersible Aspirin Tablets which is the generic (common) name. Your doctor may have given you this medicine before from another company or you may have purchased it and it may have looked slightly different. Either brand will have the same effect.
Dispersible Aspirin 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.
BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE
There is a possible association between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome when given to children. Reye’s syndrome is a very rare disease, which can be fatal. For this reason aspirin should not be given to children aged under 16 years, unless on the advice of a doctor.
Make sure you talk to your doctor before you start long-term treatment with aspirin. Also tell your doctor if you:
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are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast feeding. Aspirin should be avoided in the last three months of pregnancy and during breast feeding. are sensitive to aspirin, other ingredients in the product, salicylates or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You may have developed difficulty breathing, a runny nose, itchy skin or swelling after taking aspirin or a NSAID previously. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product, as it contains lactose. have a stomach ulcer or a history of stomach ulcers or indigestion. have haemophilia or other blood clotting disorder. are anaemic or suffer from a deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, this can cause episodes of anaemia after eating certain foods such as fava beans (favism). have asthma, or suffer from allergies. have nasal polyps. have heart, liver or kidney problems. have an overactive thyroid gland. have gout. are dehydrated. have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other connective tissue disease. are taking other medicines such as anticoagulants (medicines to stop blood clotting eg warfarin and heparin), water tablets (diuretics eg spironolactone, frusemide, acetazolamide), medicines which make your urine more alkaline (eg antacids, citrates), medicines to treat gout (eg probenecid, sulphinpyrazone), methotrexate, antidiabetics, corticosteroids, metoclopramide, domperidone, mifepristone, dipyridamole, anti-epileptic medicines (eg phenytoin, sodium valproate), other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines - NSAIDs (eg ibuprofen or naproxen), medicines which can cause hearing problems (eg vancomycin) and any that you may have bought without a prescription. alcohol may increase the risk of side effects. Avoid alcohol whilst taking aspirin.
If you need to have an operation including having teeth removed tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking aspirin. Aspirin may interfere with some laboratory tests such as urine tests.
TAKING YOUR MEDICINE
The usual dosage(s) are described below:
Your doctor’s advice should be sought before starting long-term aspirin treatment.
Adults: The usual dose for long-term use is 1-2 tablets (75-150mg) once daily. 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.
Children: Not recommended.
These tablets should be dissolved or mixed with water before taking with or after food. Swallow the tablets immediately after dispersing them in water. If symptoms persist you should consult your doctor.
If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember and then your next dose at the usual time. NEVER take two doses at the same time.
If you take more tablets than recommended above, contact your nearest hospital casualty department, or tell your doctor, immediately. Take any remaining tablets and the container with you.
AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICINE
Like many medicines, Dispersible Aspirin may occasionally cause side-effects in some patients, particularly when you first start taking it. Effects may include:
Allergic Reactions - runny nose, itchy skin, swelling and worsening of asthma.
Effects on the gastrointestinal system - 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 sick) and inflammation of the liver.
Effects on the blood - anaemia, changes in numbers and types of blood cells. If you have an increase in number of nose bleeds or notice that you bruise more easily or have more infections talk to your doctor.
Effects on the ear - ringing or buzzing in the ear.
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.
If you are concerned about any side-effects or have any other unusual effects, tell your doctor immediately and seek advice.
STORING YOUR MEDICINE
Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown on the product packaging. Keep the tablets stored below 25°C in a dry place and in the original packaging. KEEP THEM IN A SECURE PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CANNOT GET AT OR SEE THEM. REMEMBER, this medicine is for YOU only. NEVER give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
Give any medicines you no longer need to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
Aspirin 
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