aspirin

Everyday

1. Aspirin is a medicine that reduces pain, fever and swelling. tree →
2. An aspirin is one tablet of this medicine. tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons, medicines are only taken when a parent, doctor or nurse gives them, and in the right amount. Aspirin is usually NOT given to children under 16, because it can cause a rare but serious illness (Reye's syndrome); children are usually given other medicines like paracetamol (acetaminophen in the USA) instead. Its first form came from willow bark. Phrases: «take an aspirin», «a packet of aspirin».

Examples

• Grandpa takes an aspirin every day because his doctor told him to. tree →
• Aspirin is not usually given to children. tree →
• Never take medicine without asking an adult. tree →
• Keep aspirin and other pills out of reach of little children. tree →
• Long ago people chewed willow bark, which contains a chemical like aspirin. tree →
• She took two aspirins for her headache. tree →
• Medicines must stay in a locked cupboard. tree →
• Read the label before taking any aspirin. tree →

Note

As a medicine, uncountable («some aspirin»); one tablet is «an aspirin». Medicine is not a sweet, even if it looks like one. Do not take an adult's medicine. Spelling: as-pi-rin, with one «p» and one «r».