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Antiplatelet — COX Inhibitor

Aspirin (Antiplatelet)

Brand names: Aspirin 75 mg, Anadin

Low-dose aspirin is an oral antiplatelet agent used for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and in established peripheral arterial disease.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It irreversibly inhibits platelet cyclo-oxygenase-1, blocking thromboxane A2 production and thereby platelet aggregation for the lifespan of the platelet.

Prescribing in practice

  • It increases the risk of gastrointestinal and other bleeding, so it is avoided in active peptic ulceration and used cautiously with other antithrombotics, considering gastroprotection where appropriate.
  • Avoid in known aspirin or NSAID hypersensitivity, including aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.
  • It should not be given to children and young people because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Monitoring

Review bleeding symptoms, gastrointestinal tolerance and ongoing indication periodically.

Counselling the patient

  • Take with or after food and report black stools, vomiting blood or unusual bleeding.
  • Do not stop abruptly without advice if prescribed for heart or vascular protection.

Evidence & guidelines

Antithrombotic trial meta-analyses confirm low-dose aspirin reduces recurrent vascular events in patients with established cardiovascular disease.

Reference: NICE NG185; AHA guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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