What is aspirin Aspirin is one of the most widely used drugs globally to treat many conditions it belongs to the nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug category as it was the first type discovered in this group it contains the active ingredient known as acetylsalicylic acid
The story of the discovery and manufacture of aspirin In ancient times people used willow plant to treat fever and relieve pain later the compound responsible for the effective therapeutic properties of the willow plant was discovered from which the substance named salicin was extracted and used to make aspirin many scientists then developed this initial compound to reach acetylsalicylic acid as an effective substance for aspirin
Uses of aspirin Aspirin is usually dispensed without a prescription but sometimes a doctor's consultation and prescription are needed especially when high doses are required for pain relief it is important to inform the doctor of all medical conditions as well as the medications foods and dietary supplements being taken to avoid interactions and to determine the appropriate dose and time of intake
Aspirin is commonly used for the following two conditions Pain relief and fever reduction when a person is injured or infected the body produces a substance called prostaglandin as a natural reaction to combat this injury prostaglandin causes swelling and fever and sends pain signals to the brain thus aspirin works by stopping the production of this substance to relieve pain and reduce body temperature although it was heavily relied upon in the past for its numerous benefits due to its many and sometimes dangerous side effects and the availability of new and better drugs its use as a pain reliever and fever reducer has decreased in our time
Antiplatelet use Using a low dose of aspirin helps in treating or preventing clots as aspirin acts in this case as an antiplatelet in blood vessels so that clots do not form causing serious diseases such as heart attacks and strokes this is one of the most common uses of aspirin
Aspirin doses used The daily aspirin dose ranges from 50 to 6000 mg usually but for pain relief the dose should not exceed 4000 mg choosing the appropriate dose depends on the condition being treated thus it is necessary to consult a doctor or pharmacist about the safe dose even if the drug is taken without a prescription
Potential aspirin doses Aspirin dose for pain relief and fever reduction it is preferable to consult a healthcare provider about the appropriate dose for the affected person but generally the recommended doses of aspirin for adults for pain and fever relief are
Orally 300 to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed not exceeding a maximum dose of 4000 mg within 24 hours as mentioned earlier
Rectal suppositories 600 to 900 mg two to three suppositories every 4 hours as needed not exceeding a maximum dose of 3600 mg twelve suppositories within 24 hours
Aspirin dose to prevent platelet accumulation The aspirin dose prescribed to prevent platelet accumulation varies according to the medical conditions of the patient and the condition being treated for example it is recommended to take 75 to 100 mg per day to prevent platelet accumulation in patients with myocardial infarction for those with strokes it is recommended to take 50 to 325 mg per day to prevent recurrence
It should be noted that the prescribed dose should be adhered to as in some cases the doctor may resort to increasing or decreasing the dose as they see fit
Warnings before using aspirin The doctor determines whether aspirin can be used or not but it is prohibited in cases of allergy to it or any of its components caution is advised when using it in the following cases
If the person is prone to bleeding Suffering from asthma Suffering from stomach or duodenal ulcers Kidney or liver failure Severe heart failure
Can aspirin be used for children Avoid giving aspirin to children to treat fever or relieve pain without consulting a doctor especially if the child has chickenpox or flu or has recovered from it recently due to the high risk of developing reye's syndrome a rare and serious condition affecting the liver and brain causing their swelling
Can aspirin be used during pregnancy Consult a doctor before using aspirin during pregnancy as taking high or regular doses of aspirin may increase the risk of complications for both mother and child especially if taken in the third trimester of pregnancy
Can aspirin be used during breastfeeding Consult a doctor before using aspirin while breastfeeding but it is preferable to avoid taking it as a small amount may be excreted in breast milk and cause harm to the baby
Does aspirin affect driving or using heavy machinery There are no specific effects or warnings regarding driving or using heavy machinery after taking aspirin
General precautions when using aspirin Adhering to the guidelines accompanying the use of the drug protects the patient from any potential risks or complications general precautions to be followed while using it include
Avoid taking aspirin in higher or lower amounts or for longer periods than prescribed Chewable tablets should be chewed before swallowing It is preferable to take aspirin with food especially if it causes stomach upset when taken on an empty stomach Swallow the extended release tablet whole without chewing breaking or crushing it Avoid taking aspirin if it smells like vinegar as in this case the drug is ineffective Inform the doctor of taking aspirin if surgery is needed as it is usually stopped for a short period before the surgery date
How to store and preserve aspirin Adhering to proper storage and preservation of the drug reduces the chance of it being damaged important criteria for storing aspirin include
Storing it away from moisture Storing it at room temperature which ranges between 20 to 25 degrees celsius Keeping it in the container it came in closing it after use and placing it out of reach of children
Side effects of aspirin Taking aspirin usually causes common side effects that are not concerning and may disappear after a short period of taking the drug but serious side effects may appear that require visiting a doctor or calling emergency services it is recommended to monitor and follow up with the patient when starting the drug to stay on the safe side aspirin side effects include
Common side effects of aspirin Taking aspirin may cause some common side effects including
Nausea Fatigue Bleeding Indigestion Abdominal pain Heartburn Gastrointestinal ulcers Headache
Less common side effects of aspirin Taking aspirin may be accompanied by some rare side effects including
Vomiting Gastritis Stomach bleeding Exacerbation of asthma symptoms Bruising on the body
Side effects requiring a doctor's visit The appearance of unusual or serious side effects is an indication to see a doctor immediately these side effects include
Ringing in the ears or hearing loss Bloody vomiting Black stool or stool accompanied by bright red blood Coffee colored vomit Fast heart rate Difficulty breathing or wheezing Swelling in the eyes face lips tongue or throat symptoms of an allergic reaction to the drug
Aspirin drug interactions The patient should inform the doctor of all medications herbal supplements vitamins foods and drinks they are taking as taking aspirin can interact with any of them this may require changing the timing of some doses or monitoring the patient to evaluate side effects and their severity potential drug interactions include
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as captopril and enalapril Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and ibuprofen Methotrexate Anticoagulants such as heparin and warfarin Blood sugar lowering drugs Diuretics Phenytoin Valproic acid Gout medications such as probenecid and sulfinpyrazone
Summary Aspirin is one of the most significant discoveries of modern times in pharmacology due to its numerous uses and benefits most notably relieving body pain and preventing clot formation however it is always necessary to exercise caution when using it without consulting a doctor or pharmacist especially for children and during pregnancy as it can cause many side effects some of which may require a doctor's visit as well as interacting with many other medications
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