Did you know one tiny pill can fight pain, lower fever, and change how your blood clots? That’s aspirin. People use it for headaches, muscle aches, and to reduce fever. But its role as a blood thinner is what makes it special — and risky. Before you take aspirin regularly, you should know the real benefits and the common downsides.
For sudden pain or fever, adults often take 325 mg to 650 mg every 4–6 hours as needed (don’t exceed about 4,000 mg in 24 hours). For preventing blood clots after a heart attack or stroke, doctors usually use a low dose: 75–100 mg daily (often 81 mg). That low-dose aspirin reduces platelet stickiness, which can help prevent a second heart event in people who already had one.
Keep one thing in mind: recent guidance warns that taking daily aspirin just to prevent a first heart attack or stroke isn’t always helpful—especially for older adults—because the bleeding risk can outweigh the benefit. So don’t start daily aspirin on your own; talk to your doctor.
Take aspirin with food or a full glass of water to lower stomach upset. Enteric-coated pills may be easier on the stomach but they still raise bleeding risk. If you’re on blood thinners (warfarin, DOACs) or NSAIDs (ibuprofen), tell your doctor — combinations can raise bleeding risk or reduce aspirin’s heart benefit. Alcohol makes bleeding more likely, so cut back if you’re taking aspirin regularly.
Watch for warning signs: black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, unusual bruising, or severe stomach pain. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus), fast breathing, or confusion after taking a lot of aspirin are signs of overdose — seek medical help right away.
Kids and teens: don’t give aspirin to anyone under 18 during a viral illness (flu or chickenpox). Aspirin can trigger Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the liver and brain.
Pregnancy and surgery: avoid routine aspirin in late pregnancy unless your obstetrician prescribes low-dose aspirin for a specific reason like preeclampsia prevention. For planned surgery or dental work, doctors usually advise stopping aspirin about 7 days before to lower bleeding risk — but follow your surgeon’s or cardiologist’s guidance if you’re on aspirin for stents or recent heart events.
Final quick checklist: don’t self-prescribe daily aspirin, discuss low-dose aspirin with your doctor if you have heart disease, watch for bleeding signs, and avoid aspirin for children with viral illness. If you want more detail on alternatives, interactions, or how aspirin compares to other pain relievers, check our related articles on pain meds and heart health.
