Dispersible aspirin

[fitzida]

I would be interested to learn whether any members have been prescribed dispersible aspirin and whether they take anything other than omeprazole as protection for the stomach. Many thanks for any information.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

In the past it was recommended for patients with GCA to reduce the risk of clotting (as with stroke and heart attacks) but with the advent of the most recent guidelines that has been discouraged as having more potential downsides from increased bleeding and stomach irritation than benefits. It was never recommended for PMR.

I have never taken omeprazole at all - I have never felt a need for it. I'm by no means the only one.

[fitzida in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks to all who responded to the dispersible aspirin query, I've decided not to take it as the advice to do so came in a text from the GP practice without recourse to a proper examination. Being in these difficult times this is hardly surprising but I do appreciate their decision to advise protection.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I was already on dispersible aspirin before I started Pred (2012 - GCA, high doses) - also put on AA so Omeprazole added in. No longer on any of them.

[Mary63]

I have been prescribed it because I have heart disease. I just take it after food. I was prescribed omeprazole, but don’t feel the need for it. I take my prednisolone with food too.

[MrsNails]

I take One A Day Low Dose Aspirin but it’s Enteric Coated just to help prevent any additional side effects to my stomach.....

[Janstr]

I have GCA & was taking it, until PMRpro posted a link that said it was no longer recommended. I showed it to my rheumatologist & he agreed I could stop taking it

[Bennijax]

I take three dissolvable aspirin at a time when a migraine comes on. It helps stop the migraine worsening. But during the PMR journey I’ve had rather many migraines and I worry about using aspirin too often.

[Megams]

~I take 75mg dissolvable Disprin after hearty breakfast + good quality fish oil. I have atrial fib + bouts of SVT even though on betablocker. Strong blood thinners have horrendous side effects for me.

My Rheumatologist recommended the dissolvable Disprin would be far more gentle on the duodenum as opposed to enteric coated Asprin.

My Cardiologist would prefer me on a blood thinner which I understand on too well - sigh...............

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Megams]

The trouble with dispersible aspirin is it doesn't prevent the basic problem in arrythmias. Clots form and settle in the base of the ventricles (the larger, lower chambers of the heart) and in an episode of arrythmia they get shaken up and can get into the blood stream. The anticoagulant medications prevent the formation of the clots in the first place. What anticoags have you tried?

[Megams in reply to PMRpro]

~Hmmm yes........has been a real worry for me in many ways PMRpro - discharged on Saturday from stay in hospital due to fast A/F brought on by vomiting - 3 bouts of gastro since PMR diagnosed 2015. Tried swallowing gob stoppers - Pradaxa - absolutely no go for my gut let alone getting them down my throat in first instance.

Rivaroxaban - they didn't mix well with Paroxetine - I gave up after that.

I know I am at risk especially with my dickey electrical circuitry.

Am only just tolerating Betaloc after Dilitizem stopped doing its job - I purchased acid resistant capsules & chop up Betaloc to fit into them.......

This at least is helping gut - and so it goes on

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Megams]

Let's get oldfashioned: warfarin? OH went back after his problems with one of the NOACs. Yes - I occasionally find the pradaxa sticking, I hate capsules in general! Though it is a lot better now I'm on the lower 110mg dose - noticeably smaller in size!

[Megams in reply to PMRpro]

~I know with warfarin one requires weekly bloods to monitor correct dosage? That seems like going backwards to me.I will enquire next trip to GP how low a dose I could be on with Pradaxa + size to chop up into my acid/r/capsule.

One wonders why some medications can't come in an injectable form and/or transdermal delivery especially with a super sensitive gut.

I recall the HRT I was on many years ago was a tiny patch on lower abdomen - perfect.

Remembering too 75% + of our immune system lies within the gut.

Paramedic in ambulance told me that my Betaloc meds came in an injectable weekly form - welcome news to me which I will follow up ~

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Megams]

Only for the first few weeks until it is adjusted to the right dose. Then it is monthly and in the UK, once you seem stable, even less. We have a meter to do it at home - pricey but worth it for OH's state of health. There are several NOACs - and some are tiny tablets that would probably fit in your capsules.

[Megams in reply to PMRpro]

~Thank you as always PMRpro - I continue to learn so much more from you than with the many medical folk I pay to see in NZ .Pleased OH doing OK on his present meds - dear man is blessed to have you ~

[Marcy47]

I take dispersible aspirin 75mg, but not for PMR. I had a stress induced takotsubo heart attack in Oct 2018 and have been taking them ever since.

[Harrywogan]

Hi Fitzida,I dont take aspirin but take blood thinner called Clopidogrel that was prescribed ,doc says with Pmr made my blood sticky so have been on this for some time, only take omeprazole mayb a couple of weeks then stop it I dont seem to be bothered with my stomach I always take Pred with a natural yougart, hope this helps

[fitzida in reply to Harrywogan]

Many thanks Harrywogan, advice duly noted. Due for a GP practice chat soon and will see what they think.