Aspirin low dose

[HB28]

I was told by my midwife to start taking 150mg of aspirin daily, but wasn't given a prescription, she said I could get them over the counter. When I went to the boots pharmacy I picked up the only low dose ones I could find but they said they were gastro resistant (have a special coating) so I went to the counter to double check they were okay. The pharmacist said they couldn't sell me asprin and could only give it to me with a prescription.

I plan to call my doctor in the morning to get a prescription sorted, but my husband picked me the gastro resistant asprin up on the way home today and my question is, has anyone else taken these. They of course say don't take when pregnant on them, but a lot of stuff does!

Yes this is a standard treatment to prevent for instance preeclampsia, it’s routinely used in pregnancy, the pharmacist was an idiot. There are different doses depending on the country you are in, so it can be 75mg, 81mg or 150mg. Don’t take more than 150mg daily in pregnancy. The low dose ones all tend to be coated.

Thanks, yes the only low dose ones I found (UK) were 75mg but they were gastro resistant with a coasting, so wondered if they were different to 'normal' non coated versions?

No, this only means that it passes through stomach and it’s absorbed from the small intestine.

I had the same question from the midwife and there is no difference between the soluble and gastro resistant coating. You can use either.

No need for prescription either, just ask your husband to get it for you.

Your midwife might be able to give a pack or two for free to you too.

I took the gastro resistant ones during all my IVF treatments and pregnancies.

Would be good to get a prescription regardless as they are free and also I will probably get a larger pack than what I can buy over the counter.