Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking aspirin as follows:
- Aspirin is available in various strengths and is available OTC. When buying aspirin OTC, make sure to check the medication label, if it were the same dose recommended. Also, aspirin is available in combination with many other medications. If you are prescribed only aspirin, make sure that you are not getting it in combination with any other medications.
- Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Maintain strict compliance with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Aspirin use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea, vomiting, and burning sensation of stomach, especially when taken on empty stomach. Taking dose of aspirin with a glass of water, after having some food or milk or a snack, can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
- Aspirin intake, secondary to the risk of stomach irritation and stomach ulcer formation, can present with irritation of stomach lining, abdominal pain, burning sensation of stomach, and bleeding from the gastric ulcers. Individuals can also present with coughing up of blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and black tarry stools. Report to your doctor immediately regarding any of these findings, so that, a change in plan of care could be considered.
