Estimates figure that about 60 percent of people ages 65 and older take an aspirin at least once a week, some on the recommendation of their doctor (to prevent heart disease) some now.

This common, over-the-counter medication can cause some serious side effects. Regular use should be discussed with a doctor.

Aspirin is routinely recommended by the American Heart Association for people who’ve had a heart attack, stroke caused by blood clot, unstable angina, or “ministrokes.” Further more the American Heart Association recommends that people who have yet to experience an event but who are at increased risk because of family history, say, may also stand to gain from aspirin therapy.

Here are some things you may not know about Aspirin.

1. Aspirin would have a hard time getting approved by the FDA if it were to come on the market today.

2. Aspirin may be less effective in women. Research published in BMC Medicine reported that earlier studies showing a large benefit in men taking aspirin to reduce the rates of fatal heart attack,  did not hold for women.

3. Aspirin use more or less doubles the risk of a severe gastrointestinal event putting users at risk for ulcers and bleeds with prolonged use.

4. Aspirin use may not protect against heart disease and stroke in nearly 30 percent of people who are resistant to Aspirin’s effects.

5. Aspirin can throw off test results for prostate cancer. Men who regularly used aspirin and other NSAIDs had about 10 percent lower levels of the prostate marker prostate-specific antigen which may hinder the detection of prostate cancer.

Some Positive Effects of Taking Aspirin

• Cuts the risk of pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
• Reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancers.
• Lowers a woman’s risk of breast cancer.
• Offers some protection against Alzheimer’s disease.
• Protects against Parkinson’s disease.
• Helps prevent strokes—unless you also take ibuprofen.

While Aspirin has many benefits, it may also have some negative side effects.  Whether or not use use Aspirin should be discussed with a doctor or your health care provider.

Sources:

Baldauf S. October 28, 2008. 12 Things to Know about Aspirin. US News.

Lowe D. November 17, 2005. Aspirin: Not Approvable: Why many familiar medicines might flunk FDA approval today. Medical Progress Today.

Image Source: Microsoft Images.

In both cases, the aspirin has been combined with a dietary supplement into a single pill.

Aspirin is often recommended by doctors to treat general aches and pains and in small doses (baby aspirin) as a blood thinner for patients with heart disease.

The two products in question:

• Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage (Bayer Heart Advantage)–aspirin combined with phytosterols (a plant-based supplement also known as plant sterols)
• Bayer Women’s Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium (Bayer Women’s)–aspirin combined with calcium

These product formulations are not approved by FDA. The FDA has issued a warning letter to the Bayer Corporation.

Why the Warning?

Bayer has been marketing these products as pain relievers and as treatments for heart disease and osteoporosis. They claim that Bayer Heart Advantage helps in “reducing the risks of heart disease.”

The labeling for Bayer Women’s also claims that the product helps “fight” osteoporosis.

Treatments for heart disease and osteoporosis must be reviewed by government scientists and cannot be sold over the counter.

In addition the FDA has determined that these products have inadequate and misleading directions and warnings. Both products lack adequate directions and warnings for their safe use by consumers.

According to ABC News these results were discovered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has been investigating drug advertising and the FDA’s oversight of pharmaceutical manufacturers for over a year.

Sources:

October 28, 2009. FDA Warns Bayer Over Claims on 2 Aspirin Products: Federal Regulators Call Health Claims Unsubstantiated. ABC News.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 28, 2009. FDA Warns Bayer About Two Unapproved Aspirin Products. Consumer Updates.

Image Source: Esra Su. Aspirin. Royalty Free Use.