From the Guidelines
For a typical headache, the recommended adult aspirin dose is 650 to 1,000 mg every four to six hours, with a maximal initial dose of 1 g and a maximal daily dosage of 4 g. This dosage is based on the study published in the American Family Physician in 2002 1. It is essential to note that aspirin should be taken with caution, especially in patients with a history of gastrointestinal issues, bleeding disorders, or those taking other medications that may interact with aspirin.
Key Considerations
- Aspirin works by blocking pain signals and reducing inflammation by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenases.
- For most headaches, relief should be felt within 30-60 minutes.
- If the headache persists after 2-3 doses, worsens suddenly, or is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention.
Important Precautions
- Avoid aspirin if you have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, aspirin allergy, or if you're taking blood thinners.
- Children and teenagers should not take aspirin for fever or viral illnesses due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.
- For recurring headaches, consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause, as seen in the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions drink a full glass of water with each dose adults and children 12 years and over: take 4 to 8 tablets every 4 hours not to exceed 48 tablets in 24 hours unless directed by a doctor The recommended aspirin dose for headache is 4 to 8 tablets every 4 hours, not to exceed 48 tablets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor 2.
From the Research
Aspirin Dose for Headache
- The effective dose of aspirin for treating headaches, including migraines and tension-type headaches, varies:
- For acute migraine headaches, high-dose aspirin (900-1300 mg) taken at the onset of symptoms is an effective and safe treatment option 3.
- For the prevention of recurrent migraine headaches, daily aspirin (81-325 mg) may be an effective and safe treatment option 3.
- For acute treatment of episodic tension-type headache in adults, a single dose of aspirin (500-1000 mg) provided some benefit in terms of less frequent use of rescue medication and more participants satisfied with treatment compared with placebo 4.
- It is essential to consider the potential gastrointestinal side effects associated with aspirin therapy, particularly at high doses or with long-term use 5, 6.
- The risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with aspirin is increased with old age, male sex, ulcer history, and concomitant medication with NSAIDs, cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitors, corticosteroids, or other antithrombotic agents 5.
- Aspirin is generally well-tolerated for the treatment of acute headaches, with adverse events not significantly different from placebo 7, 4.