Provided are methods for enhancing the efficacy of aspirin. Also provided are methods for reducing pain or preventing or treating heart attack, stroke or blood clot in a subject in need thereof. The methods entail orally administering to the subject a first composition comprising a first amount of aspirin, and a second composition comprising a second amount of aspirin, wherein the first composition is formulated so as to, upon administration, disintegrate or dissolve intraorally providing rapid release of the aspirin of the first composition in the subject, and wherein the second composition is formulated to be substantially more difficult than the first composition to disintegrate or dissolve intraorally but is ingestible and releasable in the gastrointestinal track of the subject. The method can further include administering to the subject a painkiller or an agent suitable for treating a cardiovascular disease or condition.