Ecotrin Low Strength Adult

Generic Name: aspirin (oral)

Brands: Acuprin 81, Bayer Aspirin, Bufferin, Easprin, Ecotrin, Empirin, Halfprin, Norwich Aspirin, St. Joseph Aspirin, Zorprin

What is the most important information I should know about Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· Take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset. Enteric-coated Ecotrin Low Strength Adult is specially formulated to be gentle on the stomach. Enteric-coated Ecotrin Low Strength Adult can be, but does not have to be, taken with milk or food. Enteric-coated Ecotrin Low Strength Adult should not be taken with an antacid.

· Do not break, chew, or crush the enteric-coated tablets. These have a special coating to protect the stomach. Swallow them whole.

· Avoid alcohol or use it in moderation while taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult. Together, alcohol and Ecotrin Low Strength Adult can be damaging to the stomach. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, talk to your doctor before taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult.

What is Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· Aspirin is in a class of drugs called salicylates. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

· Aspirin is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Aspirin is also used under medical supervision to treat and/or prevent heart attacks, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes"), strokes, and angina in certain individuals.

· Aspirin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· Before taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult, talk to your doctor if you ·have an allergy to Ecotrin Low Strength Adult; ·have an allergy to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), and others; ·have an allergy to tartrazine; ·drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day; ·have an ulcer or bleeding in the stomach; ·have liver disease; ·have kidney disease; ·have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (e.g., hemophilia); ·have congestive heart failure; ·have fluid retention; ·have heart disease; ·have high blood pressure; ·have gout; ·have asthma; or ·have nasal polyps.

· You may not be able to take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· The FDA has not formally evaluated the effects of Ecotrin Low Strength Adult taken during pregnancy. However, it is known that Ecotrin Low Strength Adult taken during pregnancy may affect an unborn baby's heart, reduce birth weight, and have other dangerous effects on the unborn baby. Do not take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

· Aspirin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

· Do not use Ecotrin Low Strength Adult to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox without first talking to the child's doctor. In children younger than 20 years of age, Ecotrin Low Strength Adult may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but often fatal condition.

How should I take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· Take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult exactly as directed by your doctor, or follow the instructions that accompany the package if you are using an over-the-counter medicine. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water to ensure proper swallowing of the medication.

· Do not crush, chew, or break any enteric-coated forms of Ecotrin Low Strength Adult. These have a special coating to protect the stomach. Swallow them whole.

· Do not take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult more often than is prescribed by your doctor or than is recommended on the package. Take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult for up to 3 days for fever or up to 10 days for pain. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, stop taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult and contact your doctor.

· Be aware of the Ecotrin Low Strength Adult content of other prescription or over-the-counter medications to avoid taking too much Ecotrin Low Strength Adult.

· Store Ecotrin Low Strength Adult at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· If you are taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult regularly--for example, to treat arthritis--take the missed dose up as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

· If you are taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult on an as-needed basis, missing a dose is not usually a problem. Take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult as soon as you remember, and do not take another dose for the amount of time prescribed by your doctor or as recommended on the package.

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

· Symptoms of an Ecotrin Low Strength Adult overdose may include ringing in the ears, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, seizures, rapid breathing, and fever.

What should I avoid while taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· Avoid taking other over-the-counter or prescription medications containing Ecotrin Low Strength Adult; salicylates (forms of Ecotrin Low Strength Adult) such as magnesium and/or choline salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal) and salsalate (Disalcid); and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), and others. Combined with Ecotrin Low Strength Adult, these medicines can be dangerous.

· Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult, especially if you need to have surgery. Aspirin may prolong bleeding.

What are the possible side effects of Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Ecotrin Low Strength Adult and seek medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); ·black, bloody, or tarry stools; ·nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; ·uncontrolled fever; ·blood in the urine or vomit; ·decreased hearing or ringing in the ears; ·seizures; or ·dizziness, confusion, or hallucinations.

· If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult and contact your doctor: ·heartburn or indigestion; or ·faint ringing in the ears.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Ecotrin Low Strength Adult?

· Do not take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: ·a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), ardeparin (Normiflo), or tinzaparin (Innohep); ·a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin); or ·another salicylate such as Ecotrin Low Strength Adult (Acuprin, Ecotrin, Ascriptin, Bayer, others); choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid).

· You may not be able to take Ecotrin Low Strength Adult, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Many other drugs may also interact with Ecotrin Low Strength Adult, resulting in side effects and/or decreased effectiveness of the medications. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor during treatment with Ecotrin Low Strength Adult.

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Ecotrin Low Strength Adult written for health professionals that you may read.