CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When there are aches and pains, many of us turn to aspirin to make the hurting go away. Others take aspirin daily, as recommended by their doctor for heart health.
But does the timing of your daily aspirin make a difference in how effective it is? One post circulating on social media claims taking aspirin at night is better than taking it during the day. But is it true?
THE CLAIM
If you take aspirin every day, it's best to take it at night.
OUR SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, it's not best to take aspirin at night. Kohli said it will work either way; however, you should always do as your doctor prescribes.
WHAT WE FOUND
We all know aspirin is a pain reliever, but what does it do?
Johns Hopkins Medicine explains in addition to relieving pain, lowering fever, and reducing inflammation, aspirin can be used to prevent blood clots by separating platelets.
So many people take aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks, but is taking it at night better?
"I don't think the data is compelling enough to take it at night, and I tell my patients to take it when they are going to remember to take it," Kohli said.
Kohli told WCNC Charlotte that although some studies suggest taking it at night is better, the effects of aspirin that prevent blood clots can last for days.
"Even though the aspirin itself is gone from your system in so many hours, the effects can last for 10 days as the platelets turn over and become new," Kohli said.
Kohli says if you are feeling pain or have a fever, to take an aspirin, but there are downsides to nighttime ingestion.
"One of the downfalls of taking aspirin at night is it can irritate the lining of the stomach and cause gastritis or gastric inflammation," Kohli said.
Kohli told WCNC Charlotte that if you take aspirin every day, it's best to take it at whatever time is easiest for you to remember.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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