It may sound surprising, but one very common drug may have implications for bone health. A March 9, 2026 blog article by Harvard Health Publishing examined whether or not there’s a connection between aspirin use and risk of falls and fractures—and as it turns out, there is.

A 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association was the first randomized, controlled trial to examine a possible link between aspirin use and risk of bone fractures. Almost 17,000 older adults were randomly assigned to take 100 mg of aspirin per day, or an identical placebo. The study authors monitored the subjects for fractures and serious falls over the next five years; a serious fall was classified as one that led to a hospital admission or emergency room visit.

The researchers found that serious falls and fractures were relatively common among both the aspirin group and the placebo group. There was no difference in the risk of fracture between the groups; however, aspirin users had a significantly higher rate of serious falls. The study authors hypothesized that this could be a result of aspirin’s thinning effect on the blood.

For more information, visit www.health.harvard.edu/blog/aspirin-and-bone-health-is-there-a-connection-202212132864.

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