Aspirin Low Dose Coupons & Prices

Low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg, most often the 81 mg "baby aspirin") is an inexpensive antiplatelet medicine used chiefly to help prevent blood clots in people with established heart or blood-vessel disease. It is sold over the counter, but a Rx.com aspirin-low-dose coupon can still help you save at the pharmacy counter, since some over-the-counter items are cheaper with a coupon or when your provider writes it as a prescription. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you.

What is low-dose aspirin and how does it work?

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a salicylate NSAID that works as an antiplatelet agent by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). At the low 81 mg dose, its main job is to make platelets less "sticky" so they are less likely to form a clot inside a narrowed or damaged artery. This is why it is often called an "aspirin regimen" for the heart rather than a pain reliever. Common over-the-counter brands of the 81 mg dose include Bayer Low Dose (Aspirin Regimen), St. Joseph, Ecotrin Low Strength, Bufferin Low Dose, and Halfprin. There is also a branded prescription 162.5 mg extended-release capsule, Durlaza.

The strongest evidence supports low-dose aspirin for secondary prevention — that is, in people who already have atherosclerotic disease. This includes those who have had a heart attack, an ischemic stroke or TIA, or a coronary stent, angioplasty (PCI), or bypass, as well as people with stable or unstable angina. It is also used to help reduce the risk of death during a suspected acute heart attack.

How to save on low-dose aspirin with an Rx.com coupon

Because aspirin is available without a prescription, many people simply buy a bottle off the shelf. But prices vary a lot by store and brand, and generic aspirin (which is FDA-approved and widely marketed) is just as effective as the brand names. Some shoppers find that a larger, longer-lasting supply is cheaper when their provider writes it as a prescription and they use a discount coupon.

To compare, enter your ZIP code above to see today's price at pharmacies near you and pull up a free Rx.com coupon. There is no membership or insurance required — you show the coupon at the counter. Prices update based on your location and the pharmacy, so it is worth checking a few nearby stores.

Alternatives and related antiplatelet medicines

Low-dose aspirin is one of several antiplatelet medicines. Depending on your history, a provider may prescribe a different agent or combine aspirin with another one (called dual antiplatelet therapy), especially after a stent. Related options include:

• clopidogrel (brand Plavix) — a P2Y12 antiplatelet often used after a stent or when aspirin is not suitable
• ticagrelor — another P2Y12 antiplatelet used in acute coronary syndrome
• aspirin-dipyridamole — a combination used to help prevent recurrent stroke
• aspirin (regular strength) — the same drug at higher doses used mainly for pain, fever, and inflammation

Which medicine is right for you depends on your specific condition and bleeding risk. Do not switch or add an antiplatelet on your own — this is a decision to make with your provider.

Safety, bleeding risk, and who should be cautious

The main risk of daily aspirin is bleeding — especially gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcers, and hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke. That risk rises with age (notably 75 and older), and with the use of anticoagulants, other NSAIDs, or SSRIs, as well as with alcohol and a history of ulcers. Aspirin should be avoided in people with an aspirin or NSAID allergy, or aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (asthma with nasal polyps), and used cautiously in bleeding disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and severe liver or kidney disease. Tell your provider before any surgery, as you may need to stop aspirin first.

Important: do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who are recovering from a viral illness such as the flu or chickenpox, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. And do not start or stop a daily aspirin regimen on your own, especially if you have known heart disease — talk with your provider first. This information is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.