Is coated aspirin any better?
Aspirin can be hard on the stomach. If you believe the ads, enteric-coated aspirin is "safer on the stomach" because it dissolves in the small intestine.
In its December 2006 issue, the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter calls this advertising "misleading" because enteric coatings "do not reduce the risk of significant stomach bleeding."
"I can't think of a good indication for spending the extra money to take enteric-coated aspirin and I can think of a couple of reasons why you probably shouldn't," says Dr. John Swartzberg, who heads the Wellness Letter's editorial board.
"The enteric coating delays the absorption of aspirin," Dr. Swartzberg explains, "so you get a much slower absorption of aspirin through your intestines, which means you don't get the pain relief that you would get with non-enteric coated aspirin tablets."
Bayer actually states this on the label of its enteric-coated aspirin. In the small print it says, "Because of its delayed action, this product will not provide fast relief of headaches or other symptoms needing immediate relief."
The Wellness Letter says for quick pain relief, choose aspirin labeled "coated" or "lightly coated," not enteric coated or safety coated.
If you get an upset stomach or heartburn every time you take aspirin, then try an enteric-coated brand. But, the Wellness Letter says, you should check with your doctor because this could indicate a more serious problem.
Read the full Wellness Letter article:
For More Information:
Should you aspirin wear a coat?
In its December 2006 issue, the UC Berkeley Wellness Letter calls this advertising "misleading" because enteric coatings "do not reduce the risk of significant stomach bleeding."
"I can't think of a good indication for spending the extra money to take enteric-coated aspirin and I can think of a couple of reasons why you probably shouldn't," says Dr. John Swartzberg, who heads the Wellness Letter's editorial board.
"The enteric coating delays the absorption of aspirin," Dr. Swartzberg explains, "so you get a much slower absorption of aspirin through your intestines, which means you don't get the pain relief that you would get with non-enteric coated aspirin tablets."
Bayer actually states this on the label of its enteric-coated aspirin. In the small print it says, "Because of its delayed action, this product will not provide fast relief of headaches or other symptoms needing immediate relief."
The Wellness Letter says for quick pain relief, choose aspirin labeled "coated" or "lightly coated," not enteric coated or safety coated.
If you get an upset stomach or heartburn every time you take aspirin, then try an enteric-coated brand. But, the Wellness Letter says, you should check with your doctor because this could indicate a more serious problem.
Read the full Wellness Letter article:
For More Information:
Should you aspirin wear a coat?