Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets 28 Pack is a low-dose aspirin medicine containing 75 mg of aspirin in each tablet. Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called antiplatelet agents. Platelets are cells in the blood that cause it to clot, so antiplatelet medicines help prevent blood clotting.

These aspirin 75 mg gastro-resistant tablets are used to help prevent further heart attacks or strokes in people who have already had these conditions. They can also be taken following bypass surgery.

The tablets have a gastro-resistant, or enteric, coating so that they do not dissolve until they have passed through the stomach. Because the coating delays the release of aspirin, these tablets are not suitable for short-term pain relief.

Key Features

• Aspirin 75 mg: Each gastro-resistant tablet contains 75 mg of aspirin.
• Antiplatelet medicine: Helps prevent blood cells from sticking together and forming blood clots.
• Secondary prevention: Used to help prevent further heart attacks and strokes in people who have previously had these conditions.
• Gastro-resistant tablets: The coating prevents the tablets from dissolving until they have passed through the stomach.
• Following bypass surgery: The tablets may also be taken following bypass surgery.

What are Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets used for?

Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets are used for the secondary prevention of thrombotic cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. They help prevent further heart attacks and strokes in people who have already had these conditions and may also be taken following bypass surgery.

Who can take Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets?

The usual dosing information applies to adults, elderly people and children over 16 years of age. Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years unless advised by a doctor.

Talk to your doctor before taking these tablets for the first time.

Can Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets be used for pain relief?

No. Because of the delayed release of aspirin caused by the gastro-resistant coating, these tablets are not suitable for short-term pain relief.

Patient Information Leaflet

Main ingredients: Aspirin 75 mg per gastro-resistant tablet. Excipients: lactose, starch, sucrose, talc, methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1), polyethylene glycol, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, titanium dioxide (E171).

Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets are used for the secondary prevention of thrombotic cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease and following bypass surgery.

Talk to your doctor before taking these tablets for the first time.

Dose

Adults, elderly people and children over 16 years of age: Take 1 or 2 tablets once daily.

The usual long-term dose is 75 mg to 150 mg once daily.

In some circumstances, particularly at the start of treatment, your doctor may advise a higher dose of up to 4 tablets (300 mg) a day.

Always follow your doctor's instructions about taking this medicine.

Do not give to children under 16 years unless advised by a doctor.

Do not exceed the stated dose.

How to take

Take the tablets whole with a drink of water.

Do not crush or chew the tablets before swallowing them.

Do not take indigestion remedies just before or straight after taking the tablets.

Before deciding to stop taking this medicine, speak to your doctor.

Contact a doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Do not take this medicine if you:

• Are allergic to aspirin, any of the ingredients in this medicine, ibuprofen or other NSAID painkillers.
• Have or have ever had a stomach ulcer or an ulcer in your intestine.
• Have severe kidney or liver problems.
• Have a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia or are taking medicines to thin your blood.
• Have gout.
• Are taking other NSAID painkillers, such as ibuprofen.
• Have asthma or have had an allergic reaction to an NSAID.
• Are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
• Are breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to children under 16 years unless advised by a doctor. Aspirin has a possible association with Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition affecting the brain and liver and can be fatal.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

• Are taking aspirin for the first time.
• Have alcohol-related liver disease.
• Have high blood pressure.
• Have an allergic disease.
• Are dehydrated.
• Have diabetes.
• Have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
• Are elderly.

Other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any regular medicines.

This is particularly important if you take medicines for diabetes or insulin, diuretics, medicines that prevent blood clots such as heparin or warfarin, corticosteroids, medicines for high blood pressure or congestive heart failure, methotrexate, probenecid or sulfinpyrazone, acetazolamide, metoclopramide, phenytoin or sodium valproate, antacids or adsorbents, medicines for depression, other NSAIDs, sulphonamide antibiotics or zafirlukast.

Do not take aspirin for 8 to 12 days after taking mifepristone.

Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time as these tablets.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol while taking these tablets may make your stomach more sensitive to aspirin.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not take Galpharm Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets during the last 3 months of pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine during the first 6 months of pregnancy.

Driving and using machines

No effects on the ability to drive or use machines are stated for this medicine.

Lactose and sucrose

This medicine contains lactose and sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

If you take too many tablets

Talk to a doctor straight away or go to your nearest hospital casualty department.

Take the carton and the Patient Information Leaflet with you.

Stop taking the tablets and contact your doctor immediately if you develop:

• Asthma, worsening asthma, unexplained wheezing or shortness of breath.
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing.
• A rapid heart rate, low blood pressure or collapse.
• Hives, a rash or itching. Very rarely, skin reactions may be severe with blistering and peeling skin.
• Stomach discomfort or pain, nausea, indigestion, heartburn or a stomach ulcer.
• Vomit containing blood or dark particles that look like coffee grounds.
• Black, tarry stools or blood in your stools.
• Worsening of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
• Unexplained or unusual bruising or bleeding.
• A sore throat or mouth ulcers.
• Fever.
• Extreme paleness, weakness or exhaustion.
• A severe or prolonged nose bleed.
• Blood in your urine, coughing up blood or symptoms of a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
• Pain in your lower abdomen or back with difficulty passing urine, which may be a sign of kidney stones.

Most people take Aspirin 75mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets without any problems, but like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed here.