Uncoated vs. Enteric-Coated Aspirin for Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention

The relative merits of uncoated and enteric-coated aspirin have been debated for years. Some studies have shown lower absorption of enteric-coated aspirin tablets, but there is no decisive evidence that enteric-coated aspirin is less effective than uncoated aspirin in secondary prevention of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. Additionally, enteric-coated aspirin is less likely to cause gastric erosions, but there is no decisive evidence that it causes major gastrointestinal bleeding less frequently.

To revisit this controversy, investigators used data from the ADAPTABLE trial, in which 15,000 patients with coronary artery disease were randomized to take 81 mg or 325 mg of aspirin daily. In this “pragmatic” trial, patients purchased their ra…