13 Health Pros and Cons of Aspirin

From pain relief to disease prevention

It’s familiar, available over the counter, inexpensive and versatile. Aspirin, a salicylate drug, is also the veteran in the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These days, however, most people reach for newer NSAIDs like ibuprofen or take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease pain or reduce fever.

Aspirin’s anti-clotting action and preventive properties are also benefits. An influential health panel, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommends that certain at-risk adults take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease, stroke, pregnancy complications and colorectal cancer.

In late April 2022, those recommendations were officially narrowed because of aspirin’s major side effect: internal bleeding.