Can Aspirin Cause Mood Swings as a Side Effect? How to Cope

Aspirin itself is best known for pain relief and heart protection, and mood swings are not among its common side effects; however, rare neuropsychiatric symptoms (like anxiety, agitation, confusion, or sleep disturbances) have been reported with certain aspirin–omeprazole combination products used to reduce stomach risk, which suggests mood-related changes can occur in unusual cases. ^[1] These listed reactions include depression, agitation, aggression, anxiety, hallucinations, confusion, insomnia, nervousness, apathy, somnolence, and abnormal dreams, indicating that changes in mood or behavior may happen, though they are uncommon. ^[1] Similar neuropsychiatric effects are also described in another aspirin–omeprazole product label. ^[2]

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What the Evidence Shows

• Uncommon but possible: Product labels for fixed-dose aspirin combined with omeprazole (used to protect the stomach) include a range of psychiatric and sleep-related adverse effects, such as depression, anxiety, agitation, and confusion, which can feel like mood swings. ^[1] These effects are not routinely seen with plain aspirin but remind us that mood-related side effects can occur in rare situations. ^[2]

• General OTC aspirin warnings focus elsewhere: Standard aspirin labels emphasize allergy reactions and stomach bleeding risks rather than mood changes, so behavior or mood warnings are not typical for plain aspirin. ^[3] They also advise stopping aspirin and seeking help if behavior changes occur with nausea/vomiting in children due to Reye’s syndrome risk. ^[4] Similar warnings appear across multiple OTC aspirin labels. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

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Why Might Mood Changes Happen?

• Direct CNS effects (rare): The combination labeling reports suggest some people may experience central nervous system effects like anxiety or confusion, which can present as mood changes. This seems rare and may relate to individual sensitivity, dosage, or the combination with omeprazole. ^{[1] [2]}

• Drug combinations: Mood symptoms can also be influenced by interactions with other medicines that affect the brain or sleep, or by underlying illness. If you’re taking multiple drugs, especially those with psychiatric effects, the overall risk of mood changes may be higher. ^[1]

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Practical Coping Steps

• Track symptoms: Keep a simple diary of timing, severity, and context of mood swings or sleep changes. Note when you take aspirin and any other medicines to help your clinician see patterns. ^[1]

• Review your regimen: If you’re using an aspirin–omeprazole combination product and notice mood changes, talk with your clinician about whether to adjust the dose, change timing, or consider separate medications (for example, low‑dose aspirin with a different stomach-protection plan). ^{[1] [2]}

• Check other contributors: Poor sleep, caffeine, alcohol, stress, and other medicines can worsen mood. Reducing stimulants, improving sleep hygiene, and spacing medications can help. ^[1]

• Safety first: If severe symptoms arise such as marked agitation, confusion, hallucinations, or new/worsening depression seek medical advice promptly, as these are listed adverse effects for some aspirin combination products. ^[1] Abrupt or severe behavior changes warrant timely clinical evaluation. ^[2]

• Children and teens: If behavior changes occur with nausea/vomiting when using aspirin, stop the drug and contact a doctor due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition. ^[3] This warning is highlighted on multiple aspirin labels. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

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When to Seek Help

• Urgent signs: New or severe depression, aggression, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, or inability to sleep should prompt medical review, especially if they start after beginning an aspirin–omeprazole product. ^[1] Similar concerns apply if these symptoms escalate quickly. ^[2]

• Persistent symptoms: If mood changes last more than a few days, interfere with daily life, or worsen after each dose, contact your clinician to reassess the medication plan. ^[1]

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Key Takeaways

• Mood swings are not a common aspirin side effect, but rare neuropsychiatric and sleep-related reactions are listed for some aspirin–omeprazole combination formulations. ^[1] This means mood-related changes can happen, albeit infrequently. ^[2]

• Standard aspirin labels focus on stomach bleeding and allergy risks, with special caution about behavior changes in youth if nausea/vomiting are present due to Reye’s syndrome. ^[3] Multiple products reinforce this pediatric caution. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

• If you notice mood changes on aspirin especially combination products document symptoms and speak with your clinician to tailor your regimen and rule out other causes. ^{[1] [2]}