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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aluminum hydroxide, aspirin, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide (Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascriptin, Ascriptin Maximum Strength, Aspirin Buffered)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aluminum hydroxide, aspirin, calcium carbonate, or magnesium hydroxide, or if you have:

• a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
• vitamin K deficiency;
• low levels of platelets in your blood;
• severe active bleeding;
• an allergy to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others; or
• if you are also using ketorolac (Toradol) or mifepristone (Mifeprex).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:

• a history of stomach ulcer, heartburn, or other stomach disorder;
• asthma or seasonal allergies;
• a head injury;
• a headache with fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, and increased sensitivity to light;
• heart disease, high blood pressure;
• kidney or liver disease;
• diabetes;
• gout;
• high levels of calcium or magnesium in your blood;
• nasal polyps;
• an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD);
• if you have recently received a live vaccine such as varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, or nasal flu vaccine;
• if you are 60 years or older; or
• if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day.

Aspirin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using aluminum hydroxide, aspirin, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide.

This medication should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children.

How should I take aluminum hydroxide, aspirin, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide (Arthritis Pain Formula, Ascriptin, Ascriptin Maximum Strength, Aspirin Buffered)?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Avoid lying down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication, to reduce the risk of heartburn or upset stomach.

Do not take this medication for longer than 10 days to treat pain, or for longer than 3 days to treat fever. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if you have worsening pain or any new symptoms.

This medication can cause false results with certain lab tests for glucose (sugar) in the urine. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using aluminum hydroxide, aspirin, calcium carbonate, and magnesium hydroxide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Throw away the medication if you smell a strong vinegar odor in the bottle. The medicine may no longer be effective.

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