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Postgrad Med J 2000;76:734-735 doi:10.1136/pmj.76.901.734
  • Audit

The real cost of aspirin

  1. M I Burgess,
  2. C G Densem,
  3. N H Brooks,
  4. R D Levy,
  5. H S Lee
  1. Department of Cardiology, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
  1. Dr Burgess (MalcB10{at}aol.com)
  • Received 9 June 1999
  • Accepted 22 March 2000

Abstract

Aspirin is a widely used drug and perceived by most physicians to be inexpensive. High rates of concurrent gastroprotective agents are reported from a study of cardiology outpatients. Aspirin takers are more likely to also be taking a proton pump inhibitor, H2 antagonist, or antacid than non-aspirin takers. They are more than 10 times as likely to be experiencing upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Although aspirin is inexpensive, it is emphasised that the overall cost implications for therapy can be significant and it is suggested that it may be more appropriate to consider the use of alternative antiplatelet agents in patients who tolerate aspirin poorly.

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