Aspirin Q& A With Dr. Emily Senay
In The Early Show HealthWatch segment Dr. Emily Senay answered email questions from viewers about aspirin. The following are your questions and her answers:
Q: Is more than the recommended low daily dose of aspirin bad for you?
Dr. Senay: There's no real danger, but the higher the dose the greater chance of heartburn and g.i. complications. Coated aspirin seems better tolerated. No benefit seen above 81 Mg. a day for preventing heart problems.
Q: Does aspirin interfere with blood clotting if you are injured?
Dr. Senay: There is a propensity for patients to have a longer bleeding time, but it's not thought to be a large cause for concern. It's not like the more potent blood thinning agents you might be prescribed. If you have been diagnosed anemic, discuss the use with your doctor.
Q: Should I be taking aspirin at night or in the morning?
Dr. Senay: Aspirin's anti-coagulant effects on blood platelets last for the life of the platelet seven to ten days. So if you miss a dose, it's not the end of the world. Even though a lot of cardiac events occur in the morning - especially Monday morning. Even if you're taking aspirin regularly, but not every day, you're covered throughout that time period. However, we're realizing that the anti-inflammatory properties are as important as the anti-coagulant properties, and the timing of these effects are not as well understood. It may be a shorter acting process, thus it makes sense to take an aspirin every day.
Q: What are the alternatives to aspirin if you are allergic?
Dr. Senay: When it comes to pain relief there are plenty of good alternatives to aspirin. But there's no good and clear substitute to aspirin when it comes to preventing heart trouble. A true allergy to aspirin is unusual, but severe. If you are allergic you shouldn't take aspirin, but no drug has yet proven to be as effective. Some of the other similar drugs like naproxen (Aleve) have been found to have a similar effect but they don't seem to be the same great effect as aspirin. Ibuprofen has an anti-inflammatory effect but no anti-coagulant.
Q: Does ibuprofen interfere with aspirin?
Dr. Senay: There is some indication that ibuprofen does interfere with aspirin's good effects, but the occasional use of ibuprofen with aspirin is probably not going to interfere that much with the long-term effects of taking low dose aspirin. Where we really see trouble is if people are taking aspirin continuously with other pain-relievers like ibuprofen - chances of developing an ulcer are much greater.
Q: Does aspirin interfere with acid reflux?
Dr. Senay: Aspirin can definitely upset your stomach and give you heartburn which is also a symptom of acid reflux, so there is a chance that aspirin could make it worse. There are drugs available for acid reflux that can offset the side effects of aspirin, but you should weigh the pros and cons with your doctor.
Bear in mind that your own doctor is the best source of advice for your personal condition. Before you try any new medication be it prescription or over the counter you should consult your physician.