Aspirin causes stomach bleeding

Aspirin may not be an innocuous medicine which can be taken for any pain in the body. That high doses of the medicine causes stomach bleeding is a known fact in medicine. However, it was thought that the bleeding could be avoided if the dosage of the medication was reduced. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal refutes this. The drug given in some types of heart diseases to prevent blood clots, causes gastric bleeding over a long time even if it is given in small doses. The study was conducted by researchers form the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. It was conducted on 66,000 participants over 24 trials. Some of the participants were given a false dose which was not aspirin called a placebo. The study found that the incidence of gastric haemorrhage was two times more in people being given aspirin than in those being given the placebo. However, scientists still say that though aspirin may have its drawbacks, it has successfully been used as a medication for conditions like coronary artery disease, heart attack and to prevent stroke in patients who have arterial defects. Thus, since it has become a trade-off between the pro and adverse effects of the drug, it is advised that the drug be taken in consultation with the doctor. This is especially so, since the drug is available over the counter in India.Source: British Medical Journal, Vol. 321, P 1183November 11, 2000