Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking aspirin as follows:
- Aspirin intake can result in thinning of blood and contribute to poor clotting and uncontrolled bleeding episodes, even on slightest injuries. Patients taking aspirin can occasionally present with episodes of internal bleeding, resulting in red colored urine, bleeding per rectum, black tarry stools, and increased formation of ecchymosis and bleeding into the skin. Also, be aware of any symptoms of sudden weakness, low blood pressure, faintness, or dizziness that can signify internal bleeds. Report to your doctor immediately regarding any of these findings, so that, a change in plan of care could be considered.
- Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, for the duration prescribed, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication. This also prevents the risks of extra thinning with consequent bleeding and thickening of blood with consequent clot formation.
- Your physician could change the dose of aspirin or discontinue the medication altogether, based on the relief obtained or side-effects developed. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, to update on the relief from symptoms. Be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose, as it can lead to toxicity and dangerous side-effects with the drug. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
