ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID
Patient Counselling
Use/Dosing Instructions
Take three 325-mg tablets/caplets or two 500-mg tablets/caplets at the first sign of a tension-type headache. Repeat in
4 hours if needed for a total of two doses.
Do not exceed 4 g of ASA per day (twelve 325-mg tablets/caplets or eight 500-mg tablets/caplets).
Side effects and their management
Advise patients to take the medication with food to reduce risk of gastrointestinal upset.
Avoid concomitant heavy alcohol use (>3 drinks/day) to lower potential bleeding risks.
Inform patients about common side effects of ASA, such as stomach upset, nausea,diarrhea and dizziness.
Tell the patient to discontinue ASA immediately and contact a physician if he or she experiences severe abdominal pain, abnormal bruising, bloody or black tarry stools, coffee-ground vomit, severe fatigue, or any other severe and intolerable side effects.
Instruct patients to stop ASA and to contact a physician immediately if he or she exhibits signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity, such as hives, facial swelling, and bronchoconstriction/difficulty breathing.
Special Population
Pregnancy: Advise patients that ASA is probably safe to use in the 1stand 2nd trimester; however, its use should be avoided where possible and acetaminophen is a safer alternative for treating tension-type headache. Inform expectant mothers that ASA should not be taken in the 3rd trimester.
Children
< 16 years: Tell patients and their parents to avoid using ASA in patients under 16 years old with con current viral or flu-like symptoms due to risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
Medication Overuse
Tell patients to avoid using ASA more than 15 days per month to avoid developing medication-induced headaches.
Take three 325-mg tablets/caplets or two 500-mg tablets/caplets at the first sign of a tension-type headache. Repeat in
4 hours if needed for a total of two doses.
Do not exceed 4 g of ASA per day (twelve 325-mg tablets/caplets or eight 500-mg tablets/caplets).
Side effects and their management
Advise patients to take the medication with food to reduce risk of gastrointestinal upset.
Avoid concomitant heavy alcohol use (>3 drinks/day) to lower potential bleeding risks.
Inform patients about common side effects of ASA, such as stomach upset, nausea,diarrhea and dizziness.
Tell the patient to discontinue ASA immediately and contact a physician if he or she experiences severe abdominal pain, abnormal bruising, bloody or black tarry stools, coffee-ground vomit, severe fatigue, or any other severe and intolerable side effects.
Instruct patients to stop ASA and to contact a physician immediately if he or she exhibits signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity, such as hives, facial swelling, and bronchoconstriction/difficulty breathing.
Special Population
Pregnancy: Advise patients that ASA is probably safe to use in the 1stand 2nd trimester; however, its use should be avoided where possible and acetaminophen is a safer alternative for treating tension-type headache. Inform expectant mothers that ASA should not be taken in the 3rd trimester.
Children
< 16 years: Tell patients and their parents to avoid using ASA in patients under 16 years old with con current viral or flu-like symptoms due to risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.
Medication Overuse
Tell patients to avoid using ASA more than 15 days per month to avoid developing medication-induced headaches.