Gastrointestinal Blood Loss during Prolonged Aspirin Administration

Abstract

INGESTION of aspirin results in gastric erosions and occult blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract in the majority of persons taking the drug,^{1 2 3} the amount of blood loss depending on the dose and dosage form of aspirin, among other factors.^{4 5 6 7 8 9} The clinical studies of these effects have typically involved gastroscopio examinations or measurement of blood in the stool over a limited time, usually no more than five to seven days for a particular dosage form of aspirin or other type of salicylate. Little is known, therefore, about the magnitude of gastric erosions and blood loss during prolonged administration of large . . .