What are the effects of taking 5 grams of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) daily?

From the Guidelines

Taking 5 grams of aspirin daily is extremely dangerous and should never be done, as it can lead to severe and potentially fatal complications, including stomach bleeding, metabolic acidosis, and kidney failure, and thus, immediate medical attention is required if such an overdose occurs. This dose is approximately 10-15 times higher than the maximum recommended daily dose, as studies suggest that low-dose aspirin (75–162 mg/day) is recommended for secondary prevention in those with diabetes and a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease 1. The risks associated with aspirin overdose are significant, and even at therapeutic doses, aspirin carries risks of gastrointestinal bleeding and other side effects.

Some of the key complications of aspirin overdose include:

• Severe stomach bleeding
• Metabolic acidosis
• Respiratory alkalosis
• Tinnitus
• Hearing loss
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Cerebral edema
• Kidney failure
• Death

If someone has accidentally taken this amount of aspirin, they should seek emergency medical attention immediately by calling poison control or going to the nearest emergency room. Treatment for aspirin overdose may include activated charcoal, intravenous fluids, dialysis, and supportive care. Aspirin works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, which reduces inflammation and prevents blood clotting, but at toxic doses, it disrupts multiple body systems and cellular processes, leading to potentially irreversible damage. According to recent guidelines, aspirin therapy (75–162 mg/day) may be considered as a primary prevention strategy in those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who are at increased cardiovascular risk 1. However, the dose of 5 grams daily is not supported by any clinical evidence and is considered a severe overdose.

From the FDA Drug Label

Warnings ... Stomach bleeding warning: This product contains an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding The chance is higher if you ... Take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others)

The effects of taking 5 grams of aspirin daily are not directly stated in the provided drug labels. However, it is clear that aspirin may cause severe stomach bleeding and the chance is higher with increased dosage or combination with other NSAIDs.

• The labels do not provide a safe dosage limit, but they do emphasize the risks associated with aspirin use, particularly stomach bleeding.
• Given the information provided, it is not possible to determine the specific effects of taking 5 grams of aspirin daily, but it is likely that such a high dose would increase the risk of adverse effects, including stomach bleeding 2.
• If any signs of stomach bleeding occur, such as vomiting blood or bloody stools, medical help should be sought right away 2.

From the Research

Effects of 5 grams of Aspirin Daily

The effects of taking 5 grams of aspirin daily are not directly addressed in the provided studies, as they primarily focus on low-dose aspirin use (typically 75-325 mg/day). However, we can infer some potential risks associated with high-dose aspirin use:

• Gastrointestinal damage: Aspirin can cause damage to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including ulcers and bleeding 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Increased risk of bleeding: High-dose aspirin use may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in the upper GI tract 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
• Interaction with other medications: Aspirin can interact with other medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and anticoagulants, which may increase the risk of GI complications 4, 5, 6.

Risk Factors for Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Several risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding associated with aspirin use have been identified:

• History of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding 3, 4, 5, 6
• Older age 4, 5, 6
• Concomitant use of NSAIDs or anticoagulants 4, 5, 6
• Presence of severe co-morbidities 5
• High aspirin dose 7
• Helicobacter pylori infection 3, 6

Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Damage

Several strategies can be implemented to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal damage associated with aspirin use:

• Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to prevent dyspeptic symptoms, peptic ulcers, and bleeding ulcers 3, 6
• Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in at-risk patients 3, 6
• Use of gastroprotective agents, such as misoprostol, in patients at risk for GI adverse effects 4