From: Dr. Neal Pinckney (hnl04-170.gst.aloha.net)
Subject: Re: Is aspirin as good as prescription drugs to thin blood
Date: June 29, 2001 at 11:27 pm PST

In Reply to: Is aspirin as good as prescription drugs to thin blood posted by Stan Lewis on June 29, 2001 at 6:03 pm:

Actually, you're asking about two different things here.

Aspirin does not thin the blood, but has anti-platelet qualities, helping to prevent blood clots.

So-called blood thinning medications are prescribed for specific conditions, and should only be taken under a physician's supervision.

Aspirin has been shown to help prevent heart attacks and is usually tolerated well in smaller doses. Most commonly, a quarter of a standard strength aspirin, 81 mg, is used as a daily heart regime. Some studies have shown that a once a month "shock" dosage of one or two standard strength aspirins improves its effectiveness. Since aspirin can cause internal bleeding in some individuals and it may interact with other prescribed medications, it is always best to consult with your physician when taking it, or any other over-the-counter medications, regularly.