Aspirin

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a salicylate available over-the-counter and by prescription, used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation, and at low daily doses to help prevent heart attack and stroke.

Medication

What it is

Aspirin is a salicylate that works, per MedlinePlus, 'by blocking natural substances that cause fever, pain, swelling, and blood clots.' It is used for fever, mild-to-moderate pain and inflammation, and -- typically at low doses such as 81 mg -- to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death after a heart attack, by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Prescription extended-release aspirin products such as DURLAZA are FDA-indicated to reduce the risk of death and myocardial infarction in chronic coronary artery disease and to reduce the risk of death and recurrent stroke after an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Because aspirin inhibits platelet function and, at higher anti-inflammatory doses, shares mechanisms with other NSAIDs, its most consistently documented interactions in the sources reviewed involve bleeding risk with other antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs and, at higher salicylate doses, renal and pharmacodynamic effects with certain other medications.

Food and timing considerations

Per MedlinePlus, aspirin is typically taken once a day for heart attack/stroke risk reduction, or every 4 to 6 hours as needed for fever or pain, following product-specific directions; extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole, not broken or crushed.

Known interaction categories

  • Use caution
  • Monitor
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Informational

Published interaction pages on this site

Related guides

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-08-24

Medical information disclaimer: this information is general and educational. It does not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, or determine whether a combination is safe for you personally. Follow your prescription label and ask a pharmacist or clinician before starting, stopping, or combining products. Full disclaimer.