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Who can and cannot take low-dose aspirin

Who can take low-dose aspirin

Most people aged 16 and over can take aspirin if a doctor recommends it.

Who may not be able to take low-dose aspirin

Low-dose aspirin is not suitable for some people.

It's sometimes called "baby aspirin" because of the small dose, but it's not safe for children. However, sometimes children may be prescribed low-dose aspirin after heart surgery or for a rare condition called Kawasaki disease.

There's a possible link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome in children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition that can cause serious liver and brain damage.

Important

Never give aspirin to children under 16, unless their doctor prescribes it.

To make sure aspirin as a painkiller (including mouth gel) is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:

Page last reviewed: 16 December 2021
Next review due: 16 December 2024