How do I Figure out the Right Aspirin Dose?

You should be able to figure out the right aspirin dose by reading the directions on the back of your aspirin product. The vast majority of medicines, including aspirin, come with instructions stating how much to take and how often to take it. There might also be different dosage recommendations for people of different ages. If you're using aspirin to treat aches and pains, the usual dosage is around 500 to 1000 mg. The correct aspirin dose for aspirin therapy, which is done to prevent heart attacks, is about 80 mg per day and possibly more depending on specific doctor instructions.

There is no correct aspirin dose for children less than the age of 16 because it is not recommended for people who fall within that age group. Minors who are given aspirin have a very high risk of developing Reye's syndrome, which is a serious, life-threatening illness. Reye's syndrome can cause problems with the brain, liver, and several other major bodily organs. If you are less than 16 years old or are considering giving aspirin to someone less than the age of 16, you should instead choose some other type of pain reliever. Medicines for treating pain and fever that contain acetaminophen are typically safe for all ages, but you might want to consider asking a doctor if you are unsure.

Aspirin typically comes in two forms: low-dose aspirin and high-dose aspirin. The average low-dose aspirin pill contains about 80 mg of aspirin. In most cases, low-dose aspirin is recommended for people who either have had or are at an increased risk of having a heart attack. Taken daily, low-dose aspirin could prevent a heart attack from occurring, but doctors usually do not recommend daily aspirin therapy for people who do not have a heart attack risk. High-dose aspirin pills usually contain between 500 and 1000 mg of aspirin and should only be used by people suffering from occasional pain or fever; they are not recommended for daily use.

Aspirin is available in many different forms, including powder, pill, and chewable tablets. The aspirin dose instructions for taking each type of aspirin probably varies, and you should never take two different aspirin products in the exact same way without first thoroughly reading the directions on the aspirin product you're planning to use. Aspirin is often helpful for aches and pains as well as heart attack prevention, but it can also be dangerous if it isn't taken correctly. If you are in doubt about how much aspirin you should consume, you should probably ask your doctor before taking it just to be on the safe side.