Following my heart attack October last year I was prescribed a cocktail of medication, one of which is 75mg dispersible aspirin. Does anyone know if it has to be dispersible? I've seen some that promote that they are gastro resistant that are not dispersible.
Aspirin: Following my heart attack... - British Heart Fou...
Aspirin
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Duvetdays15
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Hi. I take the gastro resistant ones. I tend to get as and when required as cheaper than prescription and can get them with my weekly shop.
- If your doctor has you on aspirin therapy to prevent heart problems, read this: For heart protection, plain aspirin may work better than enteric-coated aspirin. Coated aspirin may be less potent than plain aspirin, a new study shows.
Oh may be that’s why it’s available OTC because the other one I was told it’s not!
They’re both available OTC. I’m a pharmacist so I’m not sure who told you that.
Thats unproven speculation. We follow too many medical matters that we really do not understan. The reason the dispersible ones are given is because they are considerably cheaper! plain and simple.
Just back from shopping and checked price of coated and soluble aspirin and both are the same. (Supermarket). But if you have details then of course that may be a factor. Checking NHS costs at 85p per 28 tablets again coated or uncoated?
However in Scotland prescribed medication is free. In England you pay per prescribed item. But I doubt if anyone would pay for aspirin by prescription in England do the choice would be entirely up to the individual. I would always take the medical advice given.
Solouble 75mg Aspirin cost £1.70 ish per 100 in Boots and 28 enteric coated Aspirin cost £4 over in Ireland. Read from the NHS in the UK that was the reason that GPs prescribe the solouble ones in the UK. Either way they are both very cheap so if you have no tummy troubles go for the solouble ones, if not the coated ones will do the job just as well. Tested and proven and thats all the cardiologists prescribe over here.
Can I advise you to go to AXA health UK and type Aspirin in the search box, answers all your doubts.
Or check the last post from b2btest (before they self destruct ) 😉
I don’t have doubt’s?
As long as you realise that your type of post can cause anxiety in people that are already vunerable with heart and tummy issues. I honestly do not care what type of Aspirin you take but really you should think of other people and stop putting unfounded doubts in their minds. Have a nice weekend and (no doubts) you will.
Wishco sorry for not replying sooner as I was golfing. Checking my replies I can’t see how anything I said in my replies on the subject of aspirin would cause anyone anxiety. But if you feel that way please accept my sincere apologies. Having gone through what I have that is the last thing I would do. What I would say that it is encouraging that a foreigner participants in the BHF forum and gives us brits an insight to other countries views. We sometimes forget how fortunate we are in the UK to have such a health service we should all be very grateful and proud of.again sorry if you feel anxious with my replies I only state on my own experience with the topic. Be safe and take care
Hi gilreid, thank you for your kind reply and I have to say it made me giggle a bit. I do not think I have ever been called a foreigner by a brit and I have two children and 5 grandchildren living in England. I am not anxious at all as I take the soluble type anyway but some people may be. We have a good healthcare system over here as well although medicine is only free after you retire or are on limited income. Just over 50% of the population have private health insurance cover which takes any pressure our HSE (NHS) might come under. Both my children in the UK have private health insurance but according to them it is not a popular choice for most British people. Just a little insight into what things are like in Ireland and great to see you out playing golf again. Look after yourself.
Yes correct
Ah well two and a half years of taking the wrong prescribed medication by cardio surgeon. But I think I will stick with it.
Since my HA and stent followed by triple bypass I have been prescribed soluble aspirin as prescribed by my cardiologist and I believe that is the preferred type. But I can only comment on my own experience. Where you prescribed differently?
I only asked a pertinent question regarding your experience on the subject matter of aspirin.
Hi gilreid. Are you talking to yourself (hooray! I'm not alone!) or has someone been deleting their responses? Seems to be happening a lot on here lately. X
Nettekin, I have also noticed this trend of certain people deleting their posts, reponses and all their bio details.
Can someone help me understand why ?
One reason for deleted posts and bios could possibly be receiving no response
On the question of whether coated aspirin has reduced effectiveness all I can say is I take 75mg daily and if I accidently cut myself, I struggle to stop the bleeding, unlike before I was prescribed them. So for me they are apparently doing their job, and are preferable to the uncoated type.
I swapped from soluble to coated after discussing it with my GP, this also allowed me to stop Omeprazole, which also (hopefully) means I can stop Folic Acid tablets (Omeprazole causes malabsorbtion of Folate in me). So cut down from 3 to 1 tab a day.
He did suggest that I always keep some soluble in the house, in case of an emergency, as they do get into your system much quicker.
in reply to Heartifact
I don't really understand what your GP means to be honest? If he is suggesting you might need to chomp on a 300mg Aspirin in an emergency I presume he means if you are having a HA, in which case you would have been better taking something that would prevent a blood clot forming in the first place.
Heartifact in reply to
I know from experience, I had a suspected HA several months post OHS, my mother was with me and dialled 999, they told her to give me 300mg soluble aspirin, even though I was on Aspirin & Ticagrelor at the time, so yes I was taking something!!
in reply to Heartifact
Yes that is in a possible emergency situation, not as preventative medication. It is not a substitute for daily anti platelet meds.
Heartifact in reply to
I really don't have a clue what you're talking about!
I take 75mg coated Aspirin tablet everyday, I keep a packet of soluble tablets in case of an emergency, like I said in the 1st place, they get into your system quicker.
in reply to Heartifact
I am talking about the fact you have swapped over to a delivery method which is less proven to be effective, as has been discussed. Taking a 300 Mg aspirin as an emergency measure is literally that, it is by no means guaranteed to have any effect. Ensuring you have maximum absorbtion of Folate is not much good if you have just had a fatal HA?
Heartifact in reply to
Seems to me that 'less proven' is a debatable point.
When did I mention that ensuring i have max absorbtion of Folate was the aim? I am quite happy taking Folic tablets!
in reply to Heartifact
I think you might want to re-read your posts, night night!
Heartifact in reply to
No need I know what I said, but this might help you
Heartifact in reply to
"There is speculation that enteric coating reduces the anti-platelet effect of aspirin, and thus its efficacy in the prevention of cardiovascular events. The available evidence for this is conflicting. There is a theory of pseudoresistance reflecting delayed and reduced drug absorption with EC aspirin over normal plain aspirin"
JennyRx in reply to
The GP is saying both: take 75mg daily as a preventative however have 300mg soluble available in case of a HA. Taking an antiplatelet reduces the risk of a HA greatly but doesn’t reduce the risk 100% for some people. Hence both.
in reply to JennyRx
Yes I realise that, it just seems a little odd that a GP would recommend having a 300mg aspirin to hand in case the effectiveness of the enteric coated one is less than he normal soluble type. I had the same discussion with mine and he didn't recommend going down the coated route due worries about their efficacy. I guess they all have differing views. He was also quite happy for me to not take a PPI when on soluble aspirin due to worries about their long long term use, including reducing absorption issues.
JennyRx in reply to
Most cardiologists would recommend having some 300mg dispersible aspirin just in case, whether you’re on dispersible or e/c so I don’t think the advice is exclusively for e/c aspirin. I swapped to e/c as I really don’t want to take a PPI due to the risk of C Difficile and osteoporosis. I’m on breast cancer treatment which also increases the risk of osteoporosis. I was taking a PPI too frequently for my liking when on dispersible. My last mri stress was so clear that my cardiologist said he was bored looking at it so I’m happy atm.
in reply to JennyRx
Strangely I have never been actually advised by GP or the cardiologist to carry a 300mg tablet around with me, although I always do. Not even sure if they told us to at Rehab TBH. The 999 response unit told us to do so I can remember my wife running about like a madwoman trying to find one!
Purpled in reply to
I was told if I was on dispirsible ones then just take four if a ha is suspected if you take enteric coated then keeping a 300 gram is just a precaution in case you need to call 999. I too was switched to enteric coated due to gastric issues.
I was on dispersible aspirin when i was instructed to take the 300mg (twice), so whether you are on either type of aspirin it seems standard procedure in an emergency situation.
My GP was merely suggesting to keep some dispersible in the house, just in case, as I said they get in to our systems quicker
When I had another suspected heart attack avfew months ago I was told by the call handler (999) to take 3 x 75mg aspirin tablets, that's 225 mg not 300? I go with the experts on this
When I was a 111 clinician we would give that advice as most people wouldn’t have the 300mg. 225 or 300 doesn’t really matter that much as long as you take some aspirin.
I was told to take 4x75mg tablets, twice, whilst waiting for the ambulance, even queried that this was correct.
My mother in law was told to take 6 low dose while waiting for the ambulance. Having full strength available,in an emergency, is a good pretreatment until help arrives, at which time the paramedics will start with aspirin, likely, if you are able to swallow and haven't already taken it at a higher dose than your daily dose.
Are you also taking clopidogrel?? If so I read here last year that if you take ineprazole with it it could prevent the clopidogrel working? I wasn't aware of this at all and had been taking ineprazole for a long time!!
No, just Aspirin.
Oh, ok. Are you not on anything that keeps the platelets in your blood from getting sticky? e.g. clopidogrel? most people that have had a heart attack are on virtually the same cocktail of meds. I'm on aspirin, clopidogrel, bisoprolol and atorvastatin
I was on Ticagrelor but stopped them after 1 year, which for most seems to be normal, my OHS was a few years ago.
Now on Bisoprolol, Aspirin & Losartan & Folic Acid.
Oh, I see. we are all on the same drugs I think? just different brand names it seems. What is OHS??? I havn't heard of this.
Sorry, Open Heart Surgery (OHS) in my case heart bypass.
I feel silly now|!!!! thank you!!!
Don't, it's always obvious once you know 
I think Gill was trying to say that most people tolerate it Ok and it is a damn site better than having a HA or stroke? Have you had problems with it? There are not really any alternatives other than Clopedogrel, which can have it's own complications. That's life for the CVD club member I am afraid.
I think you probably need to realise that probably THE biggest threat that faces us CVD guys is either plaque erosion or rupture will cause a blood clot to form which is very likely to block an artery and cause a possibly fatal HA. I believe something like 73% of HA's are caused in this way, in people who are either diagnosed or not. Therefore making sure the clot has the best chance of either not forming in the first place or dispersing ASAP is paramount. It is not much use having a stomach in A1 condition if one has just had a fatal HA! I for one am happy to deal with GI problems if it stops me having a HA, to put things in context.
' us CVD guys'Us 'gals' have heart attacks too!
On another note.
My ' guy' takes soluble aspirin, he had a stent inserted 11 years ago in his 40's
He ended up with reflux , endoscopy followed showing his oesophagus and stomach lining was damaged.
He was advised that the benefits of taking soluble aspirin, not enteric coated aspirin out weighed the side effects.
He was prescribed a Proton pump inhibitor. No more reflux or gastric pain.
His family history and his early stent/ CVD risk out trumped his reflux.
in reply to Milkfairy
Come on MF get with the beat "guys" is a gender inclusive term these days
Guys is not a gender neutral term.
hotjar.com/blog/gender-incl...
Does it really matter! the content is surely more important than ‘political correctness’
Yes ‘guys’ can be a gender neutral term. It depends on context and usage and intention. If addressing a group of people of various persuasions then it’s obvious as to it’s intention and is not attempting to cause offence and an article on a website going woke doesn’t change the humanity of the term. No need to rebuke people in this forum.In meetings before I’ve used the term ‘people’. I suppose that covers all eventualities except maybe for those present that identify as orcs or toilet brushes.
Unconscious bias is everywhere.
Please use your undoubted care and knowledge and freely given time to continue to help people on this site, you are invaluable. Maybe unconscious bias is everywhere, but still no need to rebuke people on this site.
We need all the help we can get!
Agree. Unfortunately despite all the advances over the years, there does not appear to be much of an alternative. Just another benefit of being in the club eh?
After just swallowing 75mg dispersible tabs for a few months with a mouthful of water I noticed it said on box “to be dissolved in water”. Checked with Pharmacist and he said no probs carrying on that way.
Hi Duvetday15I was prescribed those after I had a stent fitted, but the upset my stomach I bought the gastro resistant ones instead was all ok. You still get the same amount only more gentle.Trish
I've been prescribed 75mg dispersible Asprin & also take Lansoprazole gastro-resistantAlong with all the other cocktail of drugs to prevent
Hi Duvet, my experience for what it's worth suggests that it's probably wise to stick with the dispersible variety which gets quickly into your system until/unless you begin to experience stomach/gastro-intestinal woes. Some people on aspirin do have problems, some don't. The first indicator (for me) was a stubborn discomfort just at the bottom of my left rib cage; classic stomach irritation owing to aspirin. It started within a few days of taking the low dose dispersible prescription and after a lot of discussion and unhelpful application of assorted PPIs over several months, I was switched to low dose apixaban. No more GI problems and no need for PPIs.If you do start getting discomfort, my suggestion is to speak with your GP/specialist about a switch to clopidogrel or apixaban or similar rather than a move onto long-term PPIs.
Meanwhile, I recommend you don't fret about possible issues with standard dissolvable aspirin unless/until you feel that something's getting really uncomfortable. You won't fail to notice if or when that happens.
I was prescribed aspirin by my cardiologist for about a year then my new professor took me off it and said I was on enough heart medicine already!
Non interic coated soluble is preferred version but with patients who suffer from adverse side effects coated aspirin is drug of choice as daily long term therapy
There is always a risk that chronic aspirin use can cause bleeding especially gastric bleeding. Although I've heard it from my GP that the incremental risk between non gastroresistant and gastroresistant is small, I think it's sensible to always use gastroresistant and indeed to take with food to reduce any risk. You can buy them over the counter for not very much if they won't prescribe them for any reason and there's no downside that I'm aware of.
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/... There have been a number of studies into this which conclude that coated aspirin is not as effective as dispersible and no evidence that it is any better at preventing internal bleeding. Hope this helps.
Good morning, The aspirin dispersible tablets are easily and quickly absorbed. However, not to given to one who suffers from gastro-duodenal ulcer because it can irritate the lining of stomach. Gastro-resistant aspirin tablets are for those who do not need quick action and completely safe for for those who has the above problem because it by- passes the lining of stomach. Is it helpful? Pharmacists are allowed to dispense certain strength and quantity of either form.
As a pharmacist we are allowed to dispense exactly what the doctor prescribed. We can’t swap dosage forms about. But we can advise.
I changed to the gastro resistant type when the dispersible ones gave me bad stomach pain. GPs are reluctant to use the resistant ones because they may not stay in your system for long enough but I have slow digestive transit so they feel I'[m fine on them
Does aspirin work as anti coagulant.? I thought it did but when I was put on warfarin after my AFIB was diagnosed I asked my EP if I could take aspirin instead and he said no because it won’t work.!! After my brother had a H/A then a stent fitted he was put on aspirin straight away and is still on it to this day 10 years later,
Could it be that both medications do the same job but warfarin is stronger.??
I hope someone can enlighten me.
All the best.Ron.
warfarin is a blood thinner whereas aspirin interferes with the platelets, stopping them clumping together to form clots.
warfarin must interfere with the binding of platelets too though surely.???
Well I was told warfarin worked in a different way . Just looked it up on warfarin this is all it says
Conclusion: Administration of warfarin does not produce a significant reduction in platelet aggregation. On the contrary, prolonged INR evokes a mild increase in aggregation induced by collagen or epinephrine (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 32). Text in PDF elis.sk Keywords: platelet aggregation, anticoagulation, warfarin, platelet function tests, chronic ischemic heart disease.
🤦♂️🤷♂️
Just to be controversial, I swallow my dispersible aspirin whole
I swallow mine whole too!!! It is what I was told to do in hospital last year. I am sticking to my cardiologist's advice and instructions
I asked my cardiologist and he was very clear that I should stick to the dispersible tablets as they are more effective than the coated versions. I hope this helps, take care x
I was told by the doctor that the dispersible ones are simply cheaper.
I've been taking dispersible aspirin and it gives me gastro problems. I'm on the third type of PPI'S called pantoprazole which don't agree with me either.
I'm considering taking the coated aspirin but it seems even the GP's cannot decide which are better.
Wondering if I should contact my GP and see what he says first?
I'm confused dot com 🤔.
Lily
Dispersible Asprin is better for your stomach as it works faster and coats your stomach better than the film coated version as will land in your stomach then dissolve but not coating your stomach as well.
If you don't like the taste dilute the water with some squash as I now do, do not use juice as this is too acidic for your stomach combined with the asprin and will hurt the stomach lining.
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Hello
Yes there are some that are gastro resistant and gentler on the stomach
My Doctor prescribes them me so I am not sure if you can buy them but if you can't then ask your Doctor if they would prescribe them you if you are having difficulties with the other ones
x