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CNN Today

Daily Aspirin Could Hold Benefits or Negatives for Some Users

Aired January 11, 2000 - 2:20 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: Bayer's claim about the benefits of aspirin got it, the company, into hot water with the government, so today Bayer is settling by launching a million-dollar consumer education campaign. The Federal Trade Commission complained Bayer ads promoted the regular use of aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke. The agency objected, saying some adults may not benefit. Others may develop problems from taking daily aspirin. Bayer will run print ads through May, stating aspirin may not be for everyone, so consult your doctor.

CNN's Dr. Steve Salvatore joins us now from New York. Steve, and as I understand it, the FTC even conceded that some folks do benefit from taking aspirin daily. Who are those people?

DR. STEVE SALVATORE, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Lou, lots of people benefit. In many ways, aspirin is a wonder drug because it does help to prevent blood clots and promotes elasticity of blood vessels. that means it can improve your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Just give you some numbers here for example. Aspirin can reduce the risk of a first time heart attack by 44 percent, it can reduce the risk of a second heart attack by 30 percent, and it can reduce your risk of death a heart attack by 23 percent. Now, it can also lower your risk of stroke and recurrent strokes, if you've had many stokes in the past, by about 25 percent. It can also reduce your risk of some cancers. It's most beneficial to people who have heart disease and diabetes. And as for dosage, the American Heart Association says about a quarter of an aspirin tablet or a whole aspirin tablet a day should be sufficient, but you should discuss this with your doctor before starting aspirin on your own because we know that aspirin can be dangerous for some people -- Lou.

WATERS: And the other part of the equation is, those -- that the FTC objects to running of these ads, those folks that may be harmed in some way by the taking of aspirin daily?

SALVATORE: Sure, because there are side effects to aspirin, and the side effects mostly that you most need to consider are bleeding and stomach irritation. People who shouldn't take aspirin include people with ulcer disease, a history of bleeding in their gastrointestinal tract or people with any kind of bleeding disorder. Also, people with liver disease or kidney disease, and people who are on blood thinners like comodin (ph) or warfirin (ph). Remember, also, about two out of a thousand people are allergic to aspirin, so, of course, those people should never take aspirin. And aspirin should also be avoided in children who have fever, because it can cause a rare condition called Rhy's (ph) Syndrome. So, it's not safe for everybody; that's what you have to remember.

WATERS: All right, CNN's Dr. Steve Salvatore from New York, today.

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