Adult Dosing
Headaches and minor aches and pains with accompanying sleeplessness
Note:
- Dissolve effervescent tablets in water
- Drink a full glass of water with each dose
Pediatric Dosing
Headaches and minor aches and pains with accompanying sleeplessness
- >12 yrs: 2 tablets PO qhs PRN
Notes:- Dissolve effervescent tablets in water
- Drink a full glass of water with each dose
- Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients <12 yrs of age have not been established
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Aspirin may cause Reye's syndrome when used in children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms. If changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting occur during therapy, discontinue the drug and provide appropriate therapy as this could be an early sign of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness
- Aspirin may cause a severe allergic reaction that may include facial swelling, hives, shock, asthma, and skin reddening. Discontinue treatment at the first appearance of a skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity like anaphylactoid reactions
- Aspirin may cause severe stomach bleeding; this risk increases in patients who are age 60 or older, having stomach ulcers and bleeding problems, taking a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug, taking other NSAID drugs, alcoholics, or those on long-term therapy
- Aspirin overdose may cause severe liver damage
- Advise patients to stop use and inform their clinician if they experience bloody vomit, bloody or black stools, stomach pain that does not get better, redness or swelling, ringing in the ears or loss of hearing, or if the pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days, new symptoms occur, sleeplessness lasts for more than 2 wks
- Aspirin should be avoided during the last 3 months of pregnancy as it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Renal impairment
- Hepatic impairment
- History of GI bleeding
- GI obstruction
- Stomach problem
- CHF
- Cardiovascular disease
- CNS depressant use
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- COPD
- GERD
- Emphysema
- Lower respiratory tract symptoms
- Poor CYP2D6 metabolizer
- Prostatic hypertrophy
- Chronic bronchitis
- Bladder neck obstruction
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Diabetes mellitus
- Increased ICP
- Intracranial lesion
- Increased IOP
- Hyperthyroidism
- Gout
- Arthritis
- Patient on tranquilizers or sedatives
- Diuretic use
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Coagulation disorder
- Thrombocytopenia
- Sodium restriction
- Surgery or trauma
- Pediatric patients <6 yrs
- Geriatric patients
- High environmental temperature
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patients to refrain from any hazardous activity, such as driving or operating machinery during therapy
- Advise patients not to take more than 2 tablets within 24 hours
Pregnancy Category:NR
Breastfeeding: It is best to avoid aspirin during breastfeeding, especially with very young infants. As per some expert opinion, low-dose aspirin 75-162 mg/day may be used as an antiplatelet drug in nursing mothers; however, chronic, high-dose aspirin must be avoided. Avoid breastfeeding for 1-2 hours after a dose, if aspirin is to be taken, to minimize antiplatelet effects in the infant. The risk of Reye's syndrome caused by salicylate in breastmilk is unknown. Small, occasional doses of diphenhydramine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Larger doses or more prolonged use may cause effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly when used in combination with a sympathomimetic agent or when lactation is not well established. The nonsedating antihistamines are preferred alternatives. This information is based upon Lactmed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 06 July 2011). Manufacturer advises to consult a clinician.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
Alka-Seltzer PM (aspirin/diphenhydramine)
- OTC Effervescent TABS: 325 mg/38 mg
Bayer PM (aspirin/diphenhydramine)
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability