Aspirin can cause side effects, although serious reactions are rare.
Common side effects include:
- irritation of the stomach or bowel
- indigestion
- nausea (feeling sick)
However, less than 10% of people taking aspirin experience these side effects. If you experience side effects, try sticking to basic food and taking your aspirin after a meal. See your doctor if you are worried or continue to experience them.
Less common side effects
Less common side effects of aspirin include:
- worsening of asthma caused by narrowing of airways
- vomiting
- inflammation (swelling) of the stomach
- bleeding in the stomach
- bruising
In rare cases, a possible side effect of taking low-dose aspirin is haemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain).
See your doctor if you experience any of these side effects when taking aspirin.
Allergic reaction
In some cases aspirin can cause an allergic reaction, although this is more common in people who have asthma. Go to the nearest hospital’s accident and emergency department (A&E) if you experience:
- swelling of the lips, mouth or throat
- breathing problems
- a skin rash which appears quickly
Side effects of aspirin
