Unless the aspirin is coated to be gentler to the stomach (enteric coated), aspirin should be taken with mild food or an antacid to reduce the risk of upset stomach. These coated tablets should not be chewed, crushed or broken unless in case of emergency (e.g., during a heart attack). However, some people’s gastrointestinal tracts cannot dissolve coated aspirin, and the aspirin will remain intact until it leaves the body in a bowel movement.

Guidelines for aspirin call for its use as soon as there is knowledge that a heart attack is under way, preferably in the first 30 minutes after its onset. However, it is important that anyone who is experiencing a heart attack call emergency services before taking aspirin. Prompt medical treatment for a heart attack is essential for survival. Cardiac patients should also be aware that ibuprofen (another type of pain killer) should not be used during a heart attack to relieve pain because it may reduce the effects of aspirin.

There are a number of side effects associated with aspirin use that have been reported by some patients. These include:

Aspirin should never be taken in place of other medications or treatments recommended by a physician. To understand whether aspirin would be helpful, people are encouraged to speak with their physician about benefits and risks.