How does enteric coating affect aspirin's absorption?

Enteric coating delays aspirin’s release until it has passed through the stomach. Since the stomach is acidic and the upper small intestine is the main site for absorption:

- Protection from stomach acid: The coating helps prevent aspirin from dissolving in the stomach, which can reduce direct gastric irritation (and related symptoms like heartburn/ulcer risk).
- Shifted absorption site/time: Once it reaches the higher pH of the small intestine, the coating dissolves and aspirin is released. This usually means later onset of absorption compared with immediate-release aspirin.
- Absorption may be less “predictable” early on: Because release depends on gastric emptying and intestinal transit, the time to absorption can vary (more variability with enteric-coated vs. immediate-release formulations).
- Extent of absorption is often similar, but not always: Many enteric-coated aspirin products still achieve systemic absorption, but peak levels can be lower or delayed, depending on the formulation and individual GI motility.

If you tell me which enteric-coated aspirin product (brand/generic strength) you mean, I can be more specific about typical onset/peak timing and what to expect clinically.