Aspirin 'not to be used by healthy as heart medicine'
Wednesday November 04 2009
The use of aspirin to ward off heart attacks and strokes in those who do not have cardiovascular disease should be abandoned, researchers warned yesterday.
The Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin study said aspirin can cause serious internal bleeding and does not prevent cardiovascular disease deaths.
It warned that doctors should review all patients currently taking the drug for prevention of heart disease.
Low-dose aspirin is widely used to prevent further episodes of cardiovascular disease in people who have already had problems such as a heart attack or stroke.
Prevent
Asked to comment on the study, Dr Mel Bates of the Irish College of General Practitioners said people should not take aspirin daily, on their own initiative, to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Low-dose aspirin is prescribed by doctors to prevent further heart disease in people who have already had a heart attack or stroke.
The Irish Medicines Board said that aspirin sold over the counter is authorised only for the treatment of pain relief, and is not suitable for other use.
It said aspirin for treatment following a heart attack, for people with unstable angina and stroke, is a prescription-only medicine and should only be taken on the advice of a GP or healthcare professional.
- Eilish O'Regan
Irish Independent
