Category

• Analgesic-antacid
• Platelet aggregation inhibitor

Description

Aspirin, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid (AS-pir-in, SOE-dee-um bye-KAR-boe-nate, and SI-trik AS-id) combination is used to relieve pain occurring together with heartburn, sour stomach, or acid indigestion.

The aspirin in this combination is the pain reliever. Aspirin belongs to the group of medicines known as salicylates (sa-LISS-ih-lates) and to the group of medicines known as anti-inflammatory analgesics. The sodium bicarbonate in this medicine is an antacid. It neutralizes stomach acid by combining with it to form a new substance that is not an acid.

Aspirin, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid combination may also be used to lessen the chance of heart attack, stroke, or other problems that may occur when a blood vessel is blocked by blood clots. The aspirin in this medicine helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming. However, this effect of aspirin may increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people. Therefore, aspirin should be used for this purpose only when your doctor decides, after studying your medical condition and history, that the danger of blood clots is greater than the risk of bleeding. Do not take aspirin to prevent blood clots or a heart attack unless it has been ordered by your doctor .

This combination medicine is available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose for your medical condition.

Aspirin, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid combination is available in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Effervescent tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Pain Reliever and Antacid
• Flavored Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Pain Reliever and Antacid

In Canada—

• Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Pain Reliever and Antacid
• Flavored Alka-Seltzer Effervescent Pain Reliever and Antacid

Other commonly used names for aspirin are acetylsalicylic acid and ASA . Because Aspirin is a brand name in Canada, ASA is the term that commonly appears on Canadian product labels.