What is Bufferin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Bufferin overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Adult Low Dose Aspirin, Ascriptin Regular Strength, Bayer Aspirin Children's, Bayer Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Extra Strength, Bayer Genuine Aspirin, Bayer Low Dose, Bufferin, Durlaza, Ecotrin, Ecpirin, Enteric Aspirin, Genuine Aspirin, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Aspirin, Halfprin, Alka-Seltzer, Alka-Seltzer Extra Strength, Alka-Seltzer Morning Relief, Back & Body, Bayer Back & Body, Bayer Women's, Bc Headache Powder, Bc Powder Arthritis Strength, Bufferin, Bufferin Extra Strength, Goody's Fast Pain Relief, Medi-Seltzer, Ohmni-Cen, Pain Relief, Quality Choice Effervescent Pain Relief

Generic Names:

  • Bufferin

Uses:

  • Treats headache, minor pain, body aches, and drowsiness or tiredness., Treats pain, fever, and inflammation. May lower risk of heart attack and stroke.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor, Central Nervous System Agent, Antirheumatic, Antipyretic, Analgesic, Acetaminophen/Salicylate, Aspirin Combination, Acetaminophen Combination, Analgesic, Analgesic Combination, Salicylate, Antidote, Antipyretic, Antirheumatic, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor, Salicylate, Aspirin Combination

Forms:

  • Tablet, Fizzy Tablet, Liquid, Packet, 24 Hour Capsule, Long Acting Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Gum, Tablet, Chewable Tablet, Fizzy Tablet, Coated Tablet, Delayed Release Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth, By mouth

What is Bufferin used for?

What form(s) does Bufferin come in

  • Tablet

  • Fizzy Tablet

  • Liquid

  • Packet

  • 24 Hour Capsule

  • Long Acting Tablet

  • Long Acting Capsule

  • Gum

  • Tablet

  • Chewable Tablet

  • Fizzy Tablet

  • Coated Tablet

  • Delayed Release Capsule

What are common Bufferin doses?

  • Bottle 130 Tablets

Common Bufferin prescriptions

  • Bufferin
    130 tablets bottle

  • Bufferin
    65 tablets bottle

How to take Bufferin

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: If you miss a dose of Durlaza„¢, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Gum: Chew completely to make sure you get as much medicine as possible. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water after chewing the gum.

  • Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Take the capsule with a full glass of water at the same time each day.

  • Chewable tablet: You may chew it completely or swallow it whole.

  • Capsule, tablet, or coated tablet: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Chewable tablet: You may chew it completely or swallow it whole.

  • Capsule, tablet, or coated tablet: Swallow whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. Take the capsule with a full glass of water at the same time each day.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: If you miss a dose of Durlaza„¢, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Gum: Chew completely to make sure you get as much medicine as possible. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water after chewing the gum.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Drink a full glass of water with each dose of this medicine.

  • If you are using the effervescent tablet form of this medicine, dissolve the tablets fully in 4 ounces of water. Drink all of this mixture right away.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • If you are using the effervescent tablet form of this medicine, dissolve the tablets fully in 4 ounces of water. Drink all of this mixture right away.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Drink a full glass of water with each dose of this medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Bufferin

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • If this medicine has a strong vinegar smell, throw it away and do not use it.

  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Bufferin contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs, or if you have a history of asthma with nasal polyps and rhinitis.

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to aspirin, caffeine, or any other ingredients listed on the package label. You should not use this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Do not give this medicine to children younger than 12 years old, unless a doctor tells you to. This medicine should not be given to children or teenagers with fever, chickenpox, or symptoms of the flu or viral infection. Aspirin can cause a serious disease called Reye's syndrome in children or teenagers. You should not use this medicine if you are on a low-salt diet, unless your doctor tells you to. You should not use this medicine if you have an active stomach ulcer or any kind of bleeding problem.

Bufferin warnings

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have asthma, gout, arthritis, or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, bleeding problems such as hemophilia, frequent upset stomach, or a stomach disorder such as an ulcer, heartburn, or GERD (reflux disease).

  • Some forms of this medicine may contain sodium and phenylalanine. Read the label before using this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are on a salt-restricted diet, or if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

  • Tell your doctor if you have had a fever for more than 3 days, a sore throat for more than 2 days, or pain for more than 10 days. If you are using this medicine to treat a hangover, do not use for longer than 2 days.

  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows if you have taken this medicine recently. This medicine may cause problems during surgery or procedures.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Redness or swelling.

  • Severe stomach pain.

  • Ringing in your ears that will not stop, problems with hearing.

  • This medicine may increase your risk for bleeding, including stomach ulcers.

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of stomach bleeding or ulcers.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy unless your doctor tells you to.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager who has chickenpox or flu symptoms, unless the doctor says it is okay. Aspirin can cause a life-threatening reaction called Reye syndrome.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Bufferin interactions

  • Do not give aspirin to a child or teenager who has chickenpox or flu symptoms, unless the doctor says it is okay. Aspirin can cause a life-threatening reaction called Reye syndrome.

  • Do not take Durlaza„¢ 2 hours before or 1 hour after you drink alcohol or take medicines that contain alcohol.

  • This medicine may increase your risk for bleeding, including stomach ulcers.

  • Some foods and medicines can affect how aspirin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Dipyridamole, methotrexate, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, ticlopidineBlood thinner (including clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, warfarin)Blood pressure medicineMedicine to treat seizures (including phenytoin, valproic acid)NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Steroid medicine (including dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Aspirin can cause stomach bleeding. Drinking alcohol can make this worse. If you have 3 or more drinks of alcohol every day, ask your doctor if you should use this medicine. One drink of alcohol is the same as 4 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1 ounce of hard liquor (gin, whiskey, and others).

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any medicine to treat diabetes or gout. Tell your doctor if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or if you have recently received medicine to treat a blood clot such as urokinase (Abbokinase®), streptokinase (Streptase®), or alteplase (Activase®).

  • Avoid using other pain or arthritis medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®), ketoprofen (Oruvail®), indomethacin (Indocin®), Celebrex®, Daypro®, or Relafen® while you are using this medicine.

  • Avoid foods, drinks, or other medicines that contain caffeine or stimulants, including diet pills. If you take them together with this medicine, you may get too much caffeine and have unwanted side effects.

  • Make sure that none of the other medicines you are using also contain aspirin.

Bufferin side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Chest tightness, wheezing

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Ringing in the ears

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Bloody or black stools, bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

  • Severe stomach pain

  • Severe stomach pain.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

  • Ringing in your ears that will not stop, problems with hearing.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Bloody or black, tarry stools.

  • Bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

  • Pain that lasts longer than 10 days, worsening pain, lasting tiredness or drowsiness, or new symptoms.

  • Redness or swelling.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Feeling restless, jittery, or irritated.

  • Mild stomach pain, nausea, or heartburn.

  • Slight ringing in your ears.

  • Trouble sleeping.

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