The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7217 p428
28 September 2002

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
American Heart Association conference (more)

Bedtime aspirin could help prevent pre-eclampsia and premature labour

Taking low-dose aspirin before going to bed can decrease a woman's risk of developing pre-eclampsia and lessen her chances of a pre-term birth, according to the results of an American study.

The double-blind randomised controlled trial involved 341 women who had a high risk of developing blood pressure problems. They were divided into six groups and treated either with 100mg aspirin or placebo on waking, eight hours later, or at bedtime. Treatment was initiated 12 to 16 weeks into the pregnancy.

The researchers found that the incidence of pre-eclampsia was 1.7 per cent among women taking aspirin just before going to bed, compared with 14.3 per cent in the placebo group. Gestational hypertension occurred in only 6.8 per cent of women taking aspirin, compared with 30.4 per cent of women taking placebo.

Furthermore, 17.9 per cent of women in the placebo group went into premature labour, while none of those taking aspirin delivered early. Taking aspirin first thing in the morning did not reduce blood pressure compared with placebo, but women taking it eight hours after waking had lower blood pressure than those taking placebo.

The greatest decrease in blood pressure was seen in women taking aspirin at bedtime — a mean reduction of 12.6/8.5mmHg for systolic/diastolic pressure at the time of delivery, compared with placebo given at bedtime.

Lead researcher Dr Ramon Hermida, from the University of Vigo in Spain, said the results had come as a surprise to him: "This study has shown remarkable reductions in all gestational high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia complications. But there is more — women who took aspirin at bedtime gave birth to children 250g heavier on average compared with women who took placebo, or who took aspirin in the morning instead of at night."

However, Dr Hermida stressed that women should not take aspirin during pregnancy without a doctor's supervision, due to the potential risk of increased bleeding at the time of delivery. "Despite the potential advantages, not necessarily all pregnant women could benefit from taking aspirin," he added. The results were presented at the American Heart Association High Blood Pressure Research conference in Orlando, Florida, this week.