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A randomised study of aspirin and of natural oils for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetes

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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:

Removing your tablets and capsules

ASCEND: Study Treatment Information Leaflet [V3.1_120908] [PDF]