title: Efficacy and gastrointestinal risk of aspirin used for the treatment of pain and cold.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse major sources of evidence-based information on the efficacy and gastrointestinal tolerability of aspirin, used short-term, in over-the-counter (OTC) doses, to relieve acute pain and cold symptoms, including associated feverishness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evidence was largely collected from published meta-analyses and systematic reviews that focused on randomised, controlled, double-blind clinical trials, in which aspirin was compared to placebo and, in some cases also, to active comparators such as OTC doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Across a large number of comparisons, aspirin was superior to placebo in treating pain, cold or fever. Efficacy was essentially similar to that of comparators used in equivalent doses. There was no serious GI adverse event attributed to ASA in any study, but mild-to-moderate dyspepsia in small percentages of cases was commonly reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  OTC aspirin is safe and effective. Safety concerns should not limit brief use to relieve acute pain, cold or fever.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, USA. denis.mccarthy2@va.gov
authors.forename: Denis M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin; D007052:Ibuprofen