This medication is used to reduce fever and relieve minor to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and headaches. Aspirin is known as a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by blocking a certain natural substance in your body to reduce pain and swelling.

Aspirin is also used in low doses as a blood thinner to prevent blood clots after surgery on clogged arteries (such as bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy) and to reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.

If you are using this medication for self-treatment, carefully read the product label to make sure this product is correct for you or your child. You should also read the product label to find recommendations on the maximum number of suppositories you can use in a 24-hour period, and the maximum length of self-treatment before seeking medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medication. If you are using this medication under the instruction of your doctor, use it exactly as prescribed.

Apply this medication rectally as directed by your doctor, or, if you are self-treating, follow instructions on the product label. If the suppository is too soft to insert, put it in cold water or refrigerate for 30 minutes before removing the foil wrapper. Unwrap the foil and moisten the suppository with a little water. Lie down on your left side with right knee bent. Insert the suppository into the rectum with your finger. Remain lying down for a few minutes and avoid having a bowel movement for an hour or longer so the drug will be absorbed.

The dosage and length of aspirin treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Consult your doctor before treating a child younger than 12. This medication should not be used for self-treatment of pain for longer than 10 days in adults or 5 days in children. This drug should not be used by adults or children for fever lasting longer than 3 days or for sore throat pain lasting longer than 2 days. No more than 5 doses of this medication should be given to a child for pain or fever in a 24-hour period. Do not use more medication or use it for longer than recommended above unless directed by your doctor. Use the smallest effective dose. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you are using this medication for self-treatment of headache, get medical help right away if you also have trouble speaking, weakness on one side of the body, or sudden vision changes. Before using this drug, consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have headaches caused by head injury, coughing, or bending, or if you have a headache with vomiting, fever, and stiff neck.

If you are using this medication on an as needed basis (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has significantly worsened, the medicine may not work as well.

Consult your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse (for example, if you have new or unusual symptoms, redness/swelling of the painful area, pain/fever that does not go away or gets worse).

Irritation of the rectal area may occur. If this effect lasts or gets worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
• easy bruising/bleeding
• difficulty hearing
• ringing in the ears
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)
• unexplained tiredness
• dizziness
• dark urine
• yellowing of the eyes/skin

This drug may rarely cause serious bleeding from the stomach/intestine or other areas of the body. If you notice any of the following very serious side effects, get medical help right away:

• stomach/abdominal pain that is severe or doesn't go away
• black/tarry stools
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• trouble speaking
• weakness on one side of the body
• sudden vision changes or severe headache

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• fever
• swollen lymph nodes
• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking aspirin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other salicylates (such as choline salicylate); or to other pain relievers or fever reducers (acetaminophen, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication:

• kidney disease
• liver disease
• stomach problems (such as ulcers, heartburn, stomach pain)
• bleeding/blood-clotting disorders (such as hemophilia, vitamin K deficiency, low platelet count)
• aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs)
• growths in the nose (nasal polyps)
• gout
• anemia
• certain enzyme deficiencies (pyruvate kinase or G6-PD deficiency)

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this product, may increase your risk for this side effect. Limit alcoholic beverages, and stop smoking. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially stomach/intestinal bleeding and ulcers.

This drug contains aspirin. Children and teenagers less than 18 years old should not use aspirin if they have chickenpox, influenza or any undiagnosed illness without first consulting a doctor about Reyes syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

Aspirin is not recommended for use to treat pain or fever during pregnancy. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. This medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal labor/delivery. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy from 20 weeks until delivery. If your doctor decides that you need to use this medication between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. In some cases, low-dose aspirin (usually 81-162 milligrams a day) may be used safely during pregnancy to prevent certain conditions. Talk to your doctor for more details.

Aspirin passes into breast milk. When used in large amounts (such as to treat pain or fever), it may harm a nursing infant and breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication. However, low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention may be used if directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• acetazolamide
• "blood thinners" (such as warfarin, heparin)
• corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
• dichlorphenamide
• methotrexate
• mifepristone
• certain medications for gout (such as probenecid)
• anti-seizure drugs (such as phenytoin, valproic acid)
• herbal medications (such as ginkgo biloba)

Before using this product, consult your doctor if your child has recently received certain live vaccines (such as varicella vaccine, live influenza vaccine).

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (including aspirin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, ketorolac, naproxen). These drugs are similar to this medication and may increase your risk of side effects if used together.

Daily use of NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) may decrease aspirin's ability to prevent heart attack/stroke. If you are using low-dose aspirin for prevention of heart attack/stroke, consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and to discuss other possible treatments (such as acetaminophen) for your pain/fever.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as certain urine sugar tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: burning pain in the throat/stomach, confusion, mental/mood changes, fainting, weakness, ringing in the ears, fever, rapid breathing, change in the amount of urine, seizures, loss of consciousness.

Do not share this medication with others.

If you use this medication regularly or at high doses, lab and/or medical tests (such as liver/kidney function, blood count, salicylate level) may be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

There are many different dosage forms for aspirin products. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations on the best product for you.

If you are prescribed this drug on a regular schedule (not just "as needed") and you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store in the refrigerator or in a cool place. Do not use any aspirin product that has a strong vinegar-like smell. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.