Aspirin

Antiplatelet / NSAID·Haematology - Antiplatelets

Acute coronary syndromes, secondary prevention of MI/CVA/TIA

PBSANTIPLATELETAstrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro100 mg EC tabletUNSCHEDULED+1

Dose

100 mg OD

Half-life

15 mins

Bleeding Risk

HIGH

Gastroprotection

CONSIDER

Rapid Summary

Overview

Irreversible COX-1 inhibitor. The foundational antiplatelet for all forms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Maximum Dose

Max 150 mg/day (For cardiac use). Doses up to 4g/day are historically used for pain/rheumatology but are obsolete due to toxicity.

Clinical Focus

Causes permanent platelet inhibition. Platelets take 7-10 days to regenerate, making surgery planning crucial.

Bottom Line

Aspirin is essential for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, but is no longer recommended for primary prevention due to bleeding risk outweighing benefit.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro

Oral Routes

Enteric-coated tablets (100 mg), Dispersible tablets (300 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Over The Counter (OTC) / Unrestricted PBS.

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Acute coronary syndromes, secondary prevention of MI/CVA/TIA.

Off-Label

OFF

Pre-eclampsia prophylaxis in high-risk pregnancy.

Clinical Place

Mandatory for all patients with established coronary or cerebrovascular disease unless strictly contraindicated.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Antiplatelet / NSAID — Irreversible COX-1 inhibitor.

Route / Formulation

Enteric-coated tablets (100 mg), Dispersible tablets (300 mg). (Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 300 mg STAT (chewed or dissolved). Max 150 mg/day (For cardiac use). Doses up to 4g/day are historically used for pain/rheumatology but are obsolete due to toxicity.

Key Indication Doses

Acute ACS / STEMI: PO 300 mg STAT (chewed or dissolved). Secondary Prevention (MI/CVA): PO 100 mg OD. Analgesia (Obsolete): PO 300-900 mg q4-6h (Do not use on the ward. Use Paracetamol/Ibuprofen).

Best Uses

Aspirin is essential for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, but is no longer recommended for primary prevention due to bleeding risk outweighing benefit.

Avoid / Cautions

Active bleeding (e.g., active peptic ulcer), hemophilia, children < 16 years (Reye's syndrome risk). Avoid high doses in 3rd trimester. Low dose (150mg) is safe and used for pre-eclampsia prophylaxis.

Key Risks

Haematological: Bleeding, bruising. Gastrointestinal: Peptic ulcer disease, GI haemorrhage, dyspepsia. Respiratory: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) / Bronchospasm in sensitive asthmatics.

Key Interactions

Other antiplatelets (Clopidogrel), DOACs, Warfarin, NSAIDs. Massively increases fatal bleed risk. (Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) is strictly for stenting/ACS and usually limited to 1-12 months). Ibuprofen competitively binds COX-1, physically blocking Aspirin from accessing the receptor. Take aspirin 2 hours before ibuprofen.

Monitoring

Monitor for melaena (black tarry stool) or hematemesis. Routine FBC to monitor for slow, silent GI bleeds (dropping hemoglobin).

Clinical Pearl

In an acute heart attack, an enteric-coated 100mg tablet will take too long to dissolve in the stomach. Give a 300mg dispersible tablet, or force the patient to chew the enteric-coated pill to ensure rapid mucosal absorption.

Access

Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro100 mg EC tablet

Brand: Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro
Formulation: Enteric-coated tablets (100 mg), Dispersible tablets (300 mg)

Aspirin

Antiplatelet / NSAID·Haematology - Antiplatelets

Acute coronary syndromes, secondary prevention of MI/CVA/TIA

PBSANTIPLATELETAstrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro100 mg EC tabletUNSCHEDULED+1

Dose

100 mg OD

Half-life

15 mins

Bleeding Risk

HIGH

Gastroprotection

CONSIDER

Rapid Summary

Overview

Irreversible COX-1 inhibitor. The foundational antiplatelet for all forms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Maximum Dose

Max 150 mg/day (For cardiac use). Doses up to 4g/day are historically used for pain/rheumatology but are obsolete due to toxicity.

Clinical Focus

Causes permanent platelet inhibition. Platelets take 7-10 days to regenerate, making surgery planning crucial.

Bottom Line

Aspirin is essential for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, but is no longer recommended for primary prevention due to bleeding risk outweighing benefit.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro

Oral Routes

Enteric-coated tablets (100 mg), Dispersible tablets (300 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Over The Counter (OTC) / Unrestricted PBS.

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Acute coronary syndromes, secondary prevention of MI/CVA/TIA.

Off-Label

OFF

Pre-eclampsia prophylaxis in high-risk pregnancy.

Clinical Place

Mandatory for all patients with established coronary or cerebrovascular disease unless strictly contraindicated.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Antiplatelet / NSAID — Irreversible COX-1 inhibitor.

Route / Formulation

Enteric-coated tablets (100 mg), Dispersible tablets (300 mg). (Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 300 mg STAT (chewed or dissolved). Max 150 mg/day (For cardiac use). Doses up to 4g/day are historically used for pain/rheumatology but are obsolete due to toxicity.

Key Indication Doses

Acute ACS / STEMI: PO 300 mg STAT (chewed or dissolved). Secondary Prevention (MI/CVA): PO 100 mg OD. Analgesia (Obsolete): PO 300-900 mg q4-6h (Do not use on the ward. Use Paracetamol/Ibuprofen).

Best Uses

Aspirin is essential for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, but is no longer recommended for primary prevention due to bleeding risk outweighing benefit.

Avoid / Cautions

Key Risks

Key Interactions

Monitoring

Monitor for melaena (black tarry stool) or hematemesis. Routine FBC to monitor for slow, silent GI bleeds (dropping hemoglobin).

Clinical Pearl

Access

Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro100 mg EC tablet

Brand: Astrix, Cartia, Cardiprin, Aspro
Formulation: Enteric-coated tablets (100 mg), Dispersible tablets (300 mg)