Aspirin
Aspirin is a salicylate (sa-LIS-il-ate). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is used to treat pain, and reduce fever or inflammation . It is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina).
Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.
Mechanism of effect
Aspirin blocks the effects of an enzyme, cyclooxygenase which in turn prevents the synthesis of prostaglandin. This gives it its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has an effect on the way platelets stick together which helps it to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart. It is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Pharmacokinetics
Acetylsalicylic acid is a weak acid, and very little of it is ionized in the stomach after oral administration. Acetylsalicylic acid is quickly absorbed through the cell membrane in the acidic conditions of the stomach. The increased pH and larger surface area of the small intestine causes aspirin to be absorbed more slowly there, as more of it is ionised.
Drug indications
HeadacheDosage
Usual Adult Dose
• for treatment of inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis:
3 grams per day in divided doses
• for Fever and pain:
325 to 650 mg orally or rectally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 4 g/day.
• for Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis, Thromboembolic Stroke Prophylaxis, Myocardial Infarction – Prophylaxis, Ischemic Stroke – Prophylaxis:
75 mg to 325 mg orally once a day, continued indefinitely.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Fever and pain
2 to 11 years: 10 to 15 mg/kg orally or rectally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 4 g/day.
12 years or older: 325 to 650 mg orally or rectally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 4 g/day.
Drug contraindications
hypersensitivity to drug or its components. , recently receivedalcohol, or alcohol-containing prInteractions
Alendronate , Eptifibatide , Adefovir , Acetazolamide , Immune globulin , Protamine sulfat , Policosanol , Penicillin G , Piascledine , Tanacetum parthenium , Feverfew , Ticlopidine , Drospirenone , Desmopressin , Dorzolamide , Diphenhydramin , Digoxin , Risperidone , Cefalexin , Sirolimus , Cisplatin , Methimazole , Mefenamic acid , Nicotinic acid , Valproate sodium , Vitamin C , Paroxetine , Trazodone , Sertraline , Citalopram , Fluvoxamine , Fluoxetine , Warfarin , escitalopram , Vilazodone , Coumadin , Quetiapine , Methazolamide , Donepzil , Tamoxifen , Dabigatran , Doxazosin , Phenindione , Desirudin , Argatroban , Mifepristone , Oxacillin , Polyethylene glycol , Rosiglitazone , Tirofiban , Travoprost , Carbocisteine , novafen , Ginkgo biloba , Etidronic Acid , Trandolapril , Parecoxib , Pemetrexed , Aceclofenac , Tositumomab , Ibritumomab tiuxetan , Benazepril , Ardeparin , icosapent , Betrixaban , Drotrecogin alfa , Dexbrompheniramine , tiludronate , Ramucirumab , Moexipril , Cordyceps , Metipranolol , Anisindione , Netonal , Urokinase , tropisetron , Benorilate , Dasatinib , macimorelin , vorapaxar , vortioxetine , defibrotide , Aminohippurate SodiumAlerts
You should not use aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you are allergic to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.
Points of recommendation
If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use Aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.
Ask a Pharmacist