Alka-Seltzer Original Flavor — 116 effervescent tablets in 58 individually sealed 2-count pouches, labeled for individual resale. Active Ingredient (per tablet): Buffered Aspirin 325 mg (NSAID — Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) — Pain reliever/fever reducer. Temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to headache, muscle pain, backache, toothache, menstrual pain, colds, and minor pain of arthritis. Temporarily reduces fever. Inactive Ingredients: Anhydrous citric acid, sodium bicarbonate. Each tablet contains 568 mg sodium. Made by Bayer.
For use by adults and children 12 years and over only. Read all Drug Facts before use.
Fast Relief Of: Headache — Backache — Body Aches — Muscle Pain
- Effervescent formula — fully dissolve 2 tablets in 4 oz of water before taking; the medicine is in the water, not the residue
- Buffered Aspirin 325 mg per tablet — NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug); pain reliever and fever reducer
- 58 individual 2-count pouches — each pouch contains 2 tablets; labeled for individual resale; portable and convenient
- Original Flavor — the classic Alka-Seltzer formula since 1931
- Temporarily reduces fever — in addition to pain relief
- Sodium 568 mg per tablet | Store at room temperature | Avoid excessive heat
How to Use
Adults and children 12 years and over: Fully dissolve 2 tablets in 4 ounces of water before taking. Take every 4 hours as needed, or as directed by a doctor. Do not exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours. Adults 60 years and over: Do not exceed 4 tablets in 24 hours. Children under 12 years: Consult a doctor. You do not have to drink any of the residue at the bottom of the glass — the medicine is in the water. Reye's syndrome warning: Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product. Allergy alert: Aspirin may cause a severe allergic reaction including hives, facial swelling, asthma (wheezing), and shock. Do not use if you are allergic to aspirin or any other pain reliever/fever reducer. Stomach bleeding warning: This product contains an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding — especially if you are age 60 or older, have a history of stomach problems or stomach bleeding, take blood thinners or other NSAIDs, take more or for a longer time than directed, consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day while taking this product, or take with other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs. Ask a doctor before use if stomach bleeding warning applies, you have a history of heartburn, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, asthma, or are on a sodium-restricted diet. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use — especially important not to use aspirin at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless directed by a doctor. Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
About Alka-Seltzer & Bayer
Alka-Seltzer has been an American medicine cabinet staple since 1931 — over 90 years of the same effervescent formula. The iconic "Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz" formula dissolves in water to deliver fast-acting buffered aspirin relief. Bayer, headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany, is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical and life sciences companies. Alka-Seltzer Original remains one of the best-selling OTC pain relievers in the United States. Alka-Seltzer Original in water contains principally the analgesic sodium acetylsalicylate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to drink all the water including the residue at the bottom?
No. You do not have to drink any of the residue that may be at the bottom of the glass. The medicine is in the water, not the residue. You can take Alka-Seltzer Original at any time — morning, noon, or night — when you need relief from headaches, backaches, body aches, or muscle pain.
Can children under 12 take Alka-Seltzer Original?
No. Alka-Seltzer Original is not for use in children under 12 years. Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms should not use this product due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. Consult a doctor for appropriate pain relief for children.
Is Alka-Seltzer Original safe for people on a low-sodium diet?
Each tablet contains 568 mg of sodium. Two tablets (one dose) contain 1,136 mg of sodium — nearly 50% of the recommended daily sodium intake. People on a sodium-restricted diet should ask a doctor before use. Alka-Seltzer also makes a low-sodium version for those with sodium restrictions.
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