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What is Low Dose Aspirin?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Low dose aspirin the drug aspirin or salicylic acid in a much lower dose than the adult aspirin tablet. Adult aspirin usually contains 325 mg of salicylic acid per tablet. Different brands of low dose aspirin contain 81-100 mg of salicylic acid. The 81 mg dose is the most common.

This is the same dose that was used as baby aspirin for many years. Unfortunately children and infants are at risk for developing Reye’s syndrome if they take aspirin while they have certain types of illnesses. Though baby aspirin may still be sold and can be a substitute for low dose aspirin, it is usually not recommended for children. Baby and children forms of the drug are also chewable, which may not be perfect for adults who would prefer to swallow a pill.

Each tablet of traditional adult aspirin has 325 mg of salicylic acid.
Each tablet of traditional adult aspirin has 325 mg of salicylic acid.

Commonly, low dose aspirin is used as anti-coagulation therapy for people at risk for heart attacks and stroke. People on aspirin therapy take one aspirin a day, and when they buy the low dose and not the baby version, they can avoid having to deal with chewable drugs. Small doses of this medication can help keep the blood thinner, which may help to prevent formation of blood clots.

Low dose aspirin is prescribed as part of a daily aspirin regiment to prevent heart attack or stroke.
Low dose aspirin is prescribed as part of a daily aspirin regiment to prevent heart attack or stroke.

Some children are on aspirin therapy too. Kids with certain kinds of heart defects or who have had heart surgery may require baby or low dose aspirin on a daily basis. Both adults and kids tend to take the same 81 mg dose. The main difference with kids is that they need to be off aspirin if they get fevers, have stomach flu or have been exposed to chicken pox.

Someone having a heart attack should take traditional 325 mg aspirin rather than the low dose variety.
Someone having a heart attack should take traditional 325 mg aspirin rather than the low dose variety.

Check with your doctor for other recommendations regarding this. Though aspirin use may make kids more at risk for Reye’s syndrome, lower doses do seem to create lower incidence of Reye’s. A child who gets more than one dose of baby aspirin a day to treat a high fever would be more at risk than a child on a daily low dose.

Some people do have stomach problems when they take even low dose aspirin. You can find buffered forms, and others have fewer problems if they take the aspirin with a glass of milk. Some doctors now recommend taking aspirin every other day, but you should do this only if your doctor recommends it.

Low-dose aspirin usually contains about 81 mg to 100 mg of the drug.
Low-dose aspirin usually contains about 81 mg to 100 mg of the drug.

There is one instance where low dose aspirin is not adequate in dosage. If you think you are having a heart attack, you should take a regular aspirin tablet. The smaller dose may not help as much. If you are on aspirin therapy for heart disease keep some adult aspirin on hand in case of heart attack. If you don’t have any and think you’re having a heart attack, take four baby or low dose tablets, which is roughly equivalent to a single adult tablet.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon287371

My doctor has me on low dosage of aspirin, vitamin d, and niacin. What I have noticed is that sometimes I get black and blue marks on my body. What does that mean?

pharmchick78

@yournamehere -- Low dose aspirin therapy, such as Bayer low dose baby aspirin can be very effective for preventing heart attacks and strokes, but, like any regimen, you really have to consult your doctor first.

As bestcity said, daily aspirin can be dangerous, even in low dosages, so be sure to talk to your doctor before starting even a low dose aspirin regimen.

CopperPipe

Is it OK to take 81 mg aspirin without consulting a doctor first? Is the dosage low enough to be safe for everyone?

yournamehere

How effective is low dose baby aspirin for a heart attack? I hear all these commercials talking about the benefits of low dose aspirin therapy for stroke and heart attacks, but is it really true?

bestcity

Low dose aspirin might be good for some people, but not for all. Daily aspirin, even in low dose can cause serious internal bleeding.

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    • Each tablet of traditional adult aspirin has 325 mg of salicylic acid.
      Each tablet of traditional adult aspirin has 325 mg of salicylic acid.
    • Low dose aspirin is prescribed as part of a daily aspirin regiment to prevent heart attack or stroke.
      By: Sherry Yates
      Low dose aspirin is prescribed as part of a daily aspirin regiment to prevent heart attack or stroke.
    • Someone having a heart attack should take traditional 325 mg aspirin rather than the low dose variety.
      By: michaeljung
      Someone having a heart attack should take traditional 325 mg aspirin rather than the low dose variety.
    • Low-dose aspirin usually contains about 81 mg to 100 mg of the drug.
      By: blueskies9
      Low-dose aspirin usually contains about 81 mg to 100 mg of the drug.
    • Milk may be taken with aspirin to prevent upset stomach.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      Milk may be taken with aspirin to prevent upset stomach.
    • Children should stop taking aspirin if they contract chicken pox.
      By: Photozi
      Children should stop taking aspirin if they contract chicken pox.