For some people who take aspirin, stomach irritation may be decreased by taking either enteric-coated aspirin, buffered aspirin, or other modified aspirin derivatives such as choline salicylate or magnesium salicylate. Buffered aspirin contains an ingredient that neutralizes some of the digestive system's acid and, therefore, may produce less irritation than plain aspirin.
Coated aspirin dissolves mainly in the intestine.
In theory, that difference may mean less stomach irritation says Love. But, she adds, it still depends on an individual's metabolism. For example, some people can't digest the coating, so while they don't get any stomach irritation, they don't get any benefit either. The aspirin passes out of the body undigested and unabsorbed. For them, acetaminophen may be the only nonprescription choice.