Alternatives to Aspirin ?

[Joao_S]

What are the alternatives to aspirin? I have been on 75mg dispersable aspirin for the last 3 years after a HA, but over the last couple of months I have been experiencing stomach pains and cramps and general abdominal discomfort. My GP has prescribed Omerprazole but it has not helped!

I am also on Ezitimibe 10mg since last September as I was struggling the side effects of statins (Rosuvastatin). I also wonder if the combination of Ezitimibe and Aspirin could be the cause (Ezitimibe works by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the small intestine).

GP has referred my for an abdominal scan for possible gallstones after I had severe pain on right hand side of the stomach a couple of weeks ago... but OK at the moment.

In past I've had blood in the urine and a couple of very bad nose bleeds which needed cauterizing in AE, therefore I am starting to get very concerned about the risks and long term side effects of Asprin!

I understand the reasons why doctors want me to take aspirin, but I also would like to understand if there are alternatives with less side effects risk.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The first choice alternative to aspirin is clopidogrel. Definitely worth discussing with your GP.

[Joao_S in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks, I have taken Clopidigrel and Ticagrelor in the past. I will discuss with my GP and Cardiologist.

[pinnelli]

Interestingly last year my local hospital asked if I’d join a trial where we dropped aspirin & took only ticragrelor , the blood thinner we took initially. It’s only a trial but thinking is it then avoids the stomach complications caused by aspirin

[sandrann]

Hi there I'm allergic to aspirin therefore been prescribed clopidogrel.

[Qualipop]

I too wondered if either clopi or ticag would be a suitable alternative. My friend's husband in his 80s has been on aspirin for years and recently had a massive haemorrhage from his bowel. They think it was caused by the aspirin.

[not2worry]

Many doctors here in the States are stopping the aspirin regime due to research showing it does more harm than good. More internal hemorrhaging due to aspirin. The only evidence of being a preventative medication is if your family has a history of colon cancer than it’s benefits ourweigh the negactives according to our cardiologist. Then only take a low dose tablet. Clopi seems to be the best drug - it makes your platelets “slick” (think of giving each platlet a Teflon coating) rather than actually “thinning” the blood which aspirin does.

Check it out with your cardio doc/nurse or GP.

Yours from Across the Pond

[Rosei in reply to not2worry]

I had bleeding due to aspirin, haemaglobin was 8 when I landed in hospital for a week, no problem with Clopidogrel.

[Handel]

Hubby was put on 75mg aspirin and omeprazole (to counter the effects of aspirin on the stomach). He only took omeprazole for a month and it was stopped.

He's now back on clopidogrel. Hope this helps and good luck xxxxx

[Dickyticker26]

Same here

I became addicted to Beecham Powders a combination of aspirin and caffeine and ended up urinating strips of black blood

The hospital told me that I had cancer in the bladder but then retracted

I gave up the powders and stopped going for the rather unpleasant cystoscopies and had no further problems

I am now on clopidogrel for heart disease and remain a little anxious over the long-term effects of blood-thinning

I think that countries like Spain restrict the sale of aspirin