Study treatment information
A randomised study of aspirin and of natural oils for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetes
- Please check that each pack of study treatment you receive has arrived undamaged (the seals along the edge of the box should still be intact). If a treatment pack arrives damaged, or appears to have been tampered with, please contact the ASCEND office on Freefone 0800 585323.
- Take one tablet and one capsule from the pack each day. It may help you remember if you take the treatment at the same time each day. Possible side effects may be reduced if you take the tablets with food.
- If you forget to take a tablet or capsule at your usual time, you may still take it later the same day. However, if you miss a whole day or more, do not make up the missed tablets. Leave them in the calendar blister card and continue with the treatment for the next appropriate day.
- If you reach the end of the last calendar blister card before receiving your next supply, or if you lose the study treatment, please contact the ASCEND office on Freefone 0800 585323.
- Keep the medication out of the reach and sight of children, and store it in a dry place away from excessive heat, cold or moisture.
- If you are anticipating surgery, you should stop the white study tablets (aspirin or placebo) for 10 days prior to surgery and resume upon recovery, or as soon as your doctor approves.
- We ask participants not to use non-study aspirin or aspirin- containing medications wherever possible (see summary over page for a list of these). For simple pain relief paracetamol is a good alternative and can be safely taken in combination with the study medication.
- If you experience minor symptoms that you believe may be related to the study tablets or capsules, you could try discontinuing them for a few days and then try taking them again. If you experience any major symptoms or feel you must stop the tablets or capsules altogether, then please telephone the coordinating centre on Freefone 0800 585323.
- If you are prescribed any of the following drugs by your own doctors please stop your white study tablets and telephone the coordinating centre on Freefone 0800 585323 as soon as possible to inform us:
Drug Names |
Brand Names |
aspirin |
See list |
warfarin |
Marevan |
acenocoumarol (nicoumalone) |
Sinthrome |
phenindione |
Dindevan |
clopidogrel |
Plavix |
dipyridamole |
Persantin, Persantin Retard or Asasantin Retard |
Below is a list of aspirin-containing medications that we request participants in ASCEND wherever possible NOT to take. If you require pain relief, paracetamol is a good and safe alternative which can be taken in combination with the study treatment if necessary.
PREPARATIONS CONTAINING ASPIRIN (to be avoided if possible) |
|
Alka-Seltzer |
Cardio EC |
Alka-Seltzer XS |
Co-codaprin |
Alka XS Go |
Codis 500 |
Anacin |
Disprin |
Anadin |
Disprin Direct |
Anadin Extra |
Disprin Extra |
Anadin Extra Soluble |
Doan’s backache pills |
Anadin Maximum Strength |
Dristan tablets |
Angettes 75 |
Equagesic |
Apo-ASA |
Entrophen |
Asaphen |
Extra Power |
Asasantin Retard |
Fynnon |
Askit |
Gencardia |
Aspav |
Imazin XL |
Aspro Clear |
Maximum Strength Aspro Clear |
Beechams Lemon Tablets |
Micropirin |
Beechams Powders |
Mrs Cullen’s |
Benoral |
Novasen |
Benorilate |
Nurse Sykes Powders |
Boots Back Pain Relief |
Nu-Seals Aspirin |
Boots Seltzer |
Phensic |
Caprin |
Post MI 75 EC |
Removing your tablets and capsules:
ASCEND: Study Treatment Information Leaflet [V3.1_120908] [PDF]