Q. My doctor has recommended that I take enteric-coated aspirin to protect my heart without damaging my stomach. I have recently read that coated aspirin doesn’t always protect the heart as well as regular aspirin. Would I be safer buying low-dose chewable aspirin?
A. The study you are referring to was published in the journal Circulation (Jan. 22, 2013). Researchers gave 400 volunteers either immediate-release regular strength aspirin or a similar dose of enteric-coated aspirin.
Some of the people taking coated aspirin had a much delayed anti-clotting response. This may not matter for daily aspirin users, because eventually the level evens out. Doctors may recommend uncoated or chewable aspirin for people who suspect a heart attack in progress. That may be the only way to get the aspirin to work quickly.
Regular aspirin use has also been shown to reduce the risk of several different cancers. That doesn’t mean it is without risk. Aspirin users are more susceptible to ulcers as well as digestive tract irritation. Aspirin use may also increase the risk of macular degeneration. Balancing benefits and risks of aspirin will be very individual and potentially complicated.
To help you understand some aspirin basics we offer our *FREE* Guide to Key Aspirin Information.
redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/coated-aspirin-is-no-guarantee-of-safety/
on 4/10/17
