Bufferin

Who is Bufferin for ?

Bufferin is used to relieve mild to moderate pain; reduce fever, redness, and swelling; and to help prevent blood from clotting. Bufferin is used to relieve discomfort caused by numerous medical problems, including headache, infections, and arthritis. Bufferin also is used to reduce the risk of a second heart attack or stroke. Larger doses of Bufferin are used to treat gout. Bufferin is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

When should I be careful taking Bufferin ?

Before taking Bufferin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Bufferin, other arthritis or pain medications (e.g., ibuprofen), tartrazine dye, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetazolamide (Diamox); anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin); corticosteroids such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron), hydrocortisone (Cortef), or prednisone (Deltasone); medications for diabetes, gout, or high blood pressure; methotrexate; nizatidine (Azid); valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had anemia, diabetes, hemophilia or other bleeding problems, a history of ulcers, asthma, kidney or liver disease, gout, Hodgkin's disease, or a history of nasal polyps.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Bufferin, call your doctor. Bufferin and other salicylates should not be taken during the last 3 months of pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Bufferin. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Bufferin 1 week before surgery.
• tell your doctor about your use of alcohol. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking Bufferin.

Bufferin Side Effects

Although side effects from Bufferin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• stomach pain

• ringing in the ears
• loss of hearing
• bloody or black stools
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing
• dizziness
• mental confusion
• drowsiness
• skin rash