Aspirin Rectal Suppositories

What is this medication?

ASPIRIN (AS pir in) treats mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and arthritis. It belongs to a group of medications called NSAIDs.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Anemia
• Asthma
• Bleeding problems
• Diabetes
• Gout
• History of stomach ulcers or bleeding
• If you often drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low level of vitamin K
• Lupus
• Smoke tobacco
• An unusual or allergic reaction to aspirin, tartrazine dye, other medications, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is for rectal use only. Do not take by mouth. Wash your hands before and after use. Take off the foil wrapping. Wet the tip of the suppository with cold tap water to make it easier to use. Lie on your side with your lower leg straightened out and your upper leg bent forward toward your stomach. Lift upper buttock to expose the rectal area. Apply gentle pressure to insert the suppository completely into the rectum, pointed end first. Hold buttocks together for a few seconds. Remain lying down for about 15 minutes to avoid having the suppository come out. Do not use more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Children and teenagers should not use this medication to treat chicken pox or flu symptoms unless directed by a care team.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cidofovir
• Ketorolac
• Probenecid

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Alendronate
• Bismuth subsalicylate
• Flavocoxid
• Herbal supplements like feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut
• Medications for diabetes or glaucoma like acetazolamide, methazolamide
• Medications for gout
• Medications that prevent or treat blood clots like apixaban, clopidogrel, enoxaparin, heparin, rivaroxaban, warfarin
• Other aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• Pemetrexed
• Sulfinpyrazone
• Varicella live vaccine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

If you are treating yourself for pain, tell your doctor or health care provider if the pain lasts more than 10 days, if it gets worse, or if there is a new or different kind of pain. Tell your doctor if you see redness or swelling. Also, check with your doctor if you have a fever that lasts for more than 3 days.

Do not take other medications that contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen with this drug. Side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, or ulcers may be more likely to occur. Many non-prescription drugs contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Always read labels carefully.

This medication can cause serious ulcers and bleeding in the stomach. It can happen with no warning. Smoking, drinking alcohol, older age, and poor health can also increase risks. Call your health care provider right away if you have stomach pain or blood in your vomit or stool.

Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medication. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Talk to your health care provider if you are pregnant before taking this medication. Taking this medication between weeks 20 and 30 of pregnancy may harm your unborn baby. Your health care provider will monitor you closely if you need to take it. After 30 weeks of pregnancy, do not take this medication.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

This medication may make it more difficult to get pregnant. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about your fertility.

If you are scheduled for any medical or dental procedure, tell your health care provider that you are taking this medication. You may need to stop taking this medication before the procedure.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
• Hearing loss, ringing in ears
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual weakness, fatigue
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• Rectal pain, burning, or bleeding after use

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Headache
• Loss of appetite

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store in the refrigerator between 8 and 15 degrees C (46 and 59 degrees F). Protect from heat and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

Do not use this medication if it has a strong vinegar smell.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.