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Pharmacology · single question

A patient on aspirin 81mg, clonazepam, and other medications needs an extraction. What is the CORRECT management of the aspirin?

  1. Stop aspirin 7–10 days before extraction
  2. Postpone extraction until aspirin is cleared
  3. Continue aspirin — do NOT stop it before routine dental extractions
  4. Double the clonazepam dose to compensate
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Continue aspirin — do NOT stop it before routine dental extractions

  • A. Stopping aspirin 7–10 days before extraction is outdated guidance — it creates thrombotic risk without significantly improving hemostasis for dental procedures.
  • B. Postponing extraction purely because of aspirin 81mg is not indicated.
  • C. Correct. Current evidence and guidelines (ADA, AHA) recommend CONTINUING low-dose aspirin (81mg) before dental procedures. The risk of stopping aspirin (thrombotic event in at-risk cardiac patients) far outweighs the manageable bleeding risk from dental extraction. Local hemostatic measures (sutures, gauze pressure, hemostatic agents) manage extraction bleeding adequately.
  • D. Increasing clonazepam has no relationship to aspirin management.

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