Aspirin

Reduces risk of heart attack and death through its prevention of clot formation. Should be given routinely to all patients with coronary heart disease indefinitely, unless they develop side effects from this (such as bleeding from the gut, or allergy)

Absolute contra-indications to Aspirin

• Allergy to aspirin
• Children under 12 years of age
• Breast feeding, bleeding, haemophilia, and peptic ulceration (stomach ulcers)

Treatment

Aspiring dispersible 75 -150mg per day.

Some people may be allergic to aspirin with asthma-type symptoms or severe rash, etc. In this case, clopidrogel, or a similar type of medication may be used.

Dose: Clopidrogel (Plavix) (75mg once a day)

Absolute contra-indications to Clopidrogel

• Active bleeding
• Breast feeding

Upset stomach is common with aspirin or clopidrogel and recurrent dyspepsia can be managed with acid suppressing medication.