Aspirina para el dolor o la fiebre

About aspirin

Aspirin is a painkiller which can be taken to relieve pain such as headache, toothache and period pain. It is also suitable to treat cold and 'flu-like' symptoms, and to reduce a high temperature (fever). It can be taken by adults and by children over 16 years of age, but it is not suitable for younger children. In the past, aspirin has also been used to reduce pain and inflammation in rheumatic conditions, but other medicines are now usually preferred.

Low-strength aspirin is also prescribed to help prevent unwanted blood clots from forming within the body. There is more information about aspirin when it is used for this reason in a separate leaflet called Aspirin to prevent blood clots.

Before taking aspirin

Algunos medicamentos no son adecuados para personas con determinadas afecciones, y a veces un medicamento sólo puede utilizarse si se toman precauciones adicionales. Por estas razones, antes de empezar a tomar aspirina es importante que su médico o farmacéutico lo sepan:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• If you have ever had a stomach ulcer or gout.

• Si padece asma o cualquier otro trastorno alérgico.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• If you have heart failure or a problem with your thyroid gland.

• Si padece algún trastorno sanguíneo, como hemofilia o deficiencia de glucosa-6-fosfato deshidrogenasa (G6PD).

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción inusual o de tipo alérgico después de tomar aspirina o un antiinflamatorio no esteroideo (AINE). Entre los AINE se encuentran el ibuprofeno, el diclofenaco, la indometacina y el naproxeno. También debe informar a su médico si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a cualquier otro medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to take aspirin

• Before you start taking aspirin, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. It will give you more information about aspirin and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take aspirin exactly as you have been told to, or as directed on the label of the pack. The recommended dose ranges from one to three (300 mg) tablets every 4-6 hours when needed. Never take more than 4 g (13 tablets) in any 24-hour period.

• If you have been given soluble (dispersible) tablets, take each of your doses stirred into a small glass of water.

• Aspirin (other than gastro-resistant tablets) should be taken with, or straight after, a meal or snack. This helps to reduce the risk of any stomach irritation. Gastro-resistant tablets (also called enteric-coated or EC tablets) can be taken before food as these have a special coating which will help to protect your stomach from irritation.

• Gastro-resistant tablets should be swallowed whole - do not crush or chew them. You can take them with a drink of water to help you swallow. Do not take indigestion remedies during the two hours before and the two hours after taking gastro-resistant tablets. This is because the antacid in the indigestion remedy affects the way the coating on these tablets works.

• Melt-in-the-mouth (orodispersible) tablets should be placed on the tongue and allowed to dissolve. Take care not to handle the tablets too much before placing on the tongue.

• If you forget to take a dose, do not worry. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Aspirin must not be given to children under the age of 16 years unless it has been prescribed by a doctor to treat a specific condition. This is because there is a possible association between aspirin and Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease that can be fatal.

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take. You should not take other preparations which contain aspirin; neither should you take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen. Many painkillers and cold and flu remedies contain aspirin or ibuprofen - these should be avoided. Always read the label to check, or ask your pharmacist for advice.

• If you suspect that you have taken an overdose of aspirin, or that someone else (especially if it is a child) might have taken it accidentally, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital straightaway. This is very important because aspirin can cause serious problems when it is taken accidentally or in overdose. Take the container with you to show what has been taken, even if the pack is now empty.

Can aspirin cause problems?

Además de sus efectos útiles, la mayoría de los medicamentos pueden producir efectos secundarios no deseados, aunque no todas las personas los sufran. La tabla siguiente contiene algunos de los más frecuentes asociados a la aspirina. Encontrará una lista completa en el prospecto del fabricante que acompaña al medicamento. Los efectos no deseados suelen mejorar a medida que su organismo se adapta al nuevo medicamento, pero hable con su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes efectos persiste o se vuelve molesto.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

Cómo conservar las aspirinas

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos