Aspirin and Crohn's disease

This includes aspirin used for pain relief and aspirin prescribed to reduce blood clot risk. Do not stop prescribed aspirin on your own, because the reason it was prescribed may make interruption unsafe.

Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines that can reduce the stomach and bowel's protective lining and increase the chance of irritation or bleeding. For someone with Crohn's disease, that effect may overlap with inflammation already affecting the digestive tract.

New or worsening abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, or blood in the stool after taking aspirin deserves medical review. These symptoms can have several causes, including a Crohn's flare or irritation from medicine, so their timing and pattern matter.

Check the active ingredients on pain, cold, and headache products, as some combination medicines contain aspirin. Tell a pharmacist or clinician that you have Crohn's disease, whether it is currently active, and whether you have had digestive bleeding or ulcers.

If aspirin was prescribed for your heart, circulation, or another medical reason, contact the prescriber before changing it. For pain or fever, ask which alternative fits your health history and current Crohn's medicines; a suitable option depends on liver health, kidney health, allergies, and other treatments.

Seek urgent medical help for vomiting blood, black or tar-like stools, heavy rectal bleeding, fainting, severe weakness, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or sudden severe abdominal pain.

Arrange prompt clinical advice if bowel symptoms noticeably worsen after aspirin, diarrhoea persists, pain keeps returning, or you see a small amount of blood in the stool. Bring the medicine packet and a list of everything you take, including non-prescription products.

Ask why aspirin is recommended, whether the expected benefit outweighs digestive risks for you, what warning signs to watch for, and which pain reliever is appropriate. Also confirm whether aspirin could interact with steroids, blood thinners, or other medicines in your treatment plan.