IV.

Side Effects and Risks

Aspirin causes a small amount of bleeding in the digestive tract that could result in iron deficiency or gastric ulcers with long-term use. Complications can be avoided by using enteric-coated aspirin, which does not dissolve until reaching the intestine. So-called buffered aspirin adds compounds that reduce the acidity of aspirin in the stomach. Because of its anticlotting effects, aspirin is generally avoided in treating pain from bleeding injuries or surgery. Aspirin should not be given to children who have chicken pox or influenza because it increases the risk of contracting the rare and frequently fatal Reye's syndrome, a disease of the brain and some abdominal organs.

As a rule, women who are pregnant should avoid taking aspirin. A number of pregnancy complications have been linked to the drug, including miscarriage and effects on the developing baby. In some cases, however, a doctor might prescribe low doses of aspirin to help treat certain medical conditions affecting the mother.

Ingesting very high doses of aspirin can result in poisoning. Symptoms of aspirin poisoning include rapid breathing, vomiting, bizarre behavior, and, in severe cases, coma. Immediate medical attention is needed. Aspirin was once of very common cause of poisoning in children. The introduction of child-resistant containers has greatly reduced the incidence of such poisonings, but aspirin, like any medicine, should be kept out of the reach of children.