"Aspirin" is a drug that can be found in a home medicine cabinet in almost every family. The drug is cheap and helps to get rid of high temperature, it is also used in other conditions. But an affordable drug can be harmful if you use it without taking into account the instructions for use. Next, we consider the mechanism of action of "Acetylsalicylic acid" and contraindications to the use of the drug.
The composition of the drug
The drug is produced in the form of tablets, which include the main active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid in an amount of 500 mg. As additional components are available:
- Potato starch.
- Silica.
- Stearic acid.
- Lemon acid.
- Talc.
Depending on the age and condition, the doctor recommends the necessary dosage and treatment regimen.
Pharmacology
Given the properties of "Acetylsalicylic acid", the drug can be attributed to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which also have antipyretic and analgesic effects. The active substance inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes that are involved in the production of prostaglandins.
It also has the following pharmacological action “Acetylsalicylic acid” - it blocks the synthesis of thromboxane A2 in platelets and inhibits their aggregation, which allows the drug to be used for some cardiovascular diseases.
The ability of a drug to reduce fever is based on the effect on the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus. The mechanism for the implementation of the analgesic effect of “Acetylsalicylic acid” is associated with exposure to the centers of pain sensitivity in the central nervous system.
After ingestion, the drug is rapidly absorbed, and the maximum concentration in blood plasma is reached after 20 minutes. Salicylates easily penetrate all tissues and body fluids. A small amount can be found in the tissues of the brain, in breast milk.
The metabolism of the drug goes in the liver and depends on the dosage taken and the activity of the enzymes working in this organ. If the medicine is taken in small doses, then elimination from the body is carried out in 2-3 hours, if the dose of "Acetylsalicylic acid" is high, then the half-life will take up to 15 hours.
Indications for use
Many are interested in what Acetylsalicylic Acid helps. Indications for use of the drug are as follows:
- It copes with pain syndrome of mild or moderate intensity, therefore, it is recommended to take it in the following conditions: headache, toothache, soreness against muscle spasms, neuralgia, migraine.
- The mechanism of action of "Acetylsalicylic acid" provides a reduction in high temperature, therefore, its use is effective for colds, infections.
- Rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis.
- As a prophylactic of heart attacks, thrombosis, ischemic circulatory disorders in the brain.
- What is “Acetylsalicylic acid” for? It is prescribed if there is a need for the formation of persistent tolerance to NSAIDs in the presence of aspirin asthma.
“Acetylsalicylic acid” has extensive indications, but the doctor should prescribe the drug. Self-medication is fraught with serious consequences.
Therapy regimen and dosage
Depending on the patient's condition and existing pathologies, the tablets are prescribed in different dosages, but there is one general recommendation. The drug should be taken only after a meal, you can drink it with water, milk or a mineral water with an alkaline environment.
The standard dosage for adult patients is from 500 mg to 1 gram of the drug up to 3-4 times a day. You can take no more than 2 tablets at a time. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 3 grams.
Depending on the indications, the dosage and treatment regimen may differ:
- To prevent platelet adhesion, "Acetylsalicylic acid" is prescribed 0.5 tablets once a day for 3-4 months.
- After a heart attack and to prevent it, 250 mg of the drug is recommended.
- In the presence of cerebrovascular accident or thromboembolism, it is necessary to start taking it from half a tablet a day and gradually bring the dose to 1 gram.
Even if you know exactly what “Acetylsalicylic acid” helps, you need to take it only according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor and in the recommended dosage.
"Aspirin" to improve blood quality
How to take "Acetylsalicylic acid" to thin the blood? It is important to understand that the drug will give a positive effect only with prolonged use. If you want to quickly restore the consistency of blood, it is recommended to take one tablet once a day.
For preventive purposes, the dosage is a quarter of a tablet. "Acetylsalicylic acid" to reduce blood density should be drunk before bedtime, as at night there is an increased risk of blood clots. But doing this on an empty stomach is not recommended, since the active substance of the drug irritates the mucous membrane, which can provoke an exacerbation of peptic ulcer.
The tablet must be dissolved and washed down with plenty of liquid. Do not increase the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Another nuance: “Aspirin” should be a daily medicine, as it helps to avoid serious complications of cardiovascular diseases that develop in old age.
The drug in childhood
You can often hear from doctors that it is forbidden to give medicine to children. This is especially true for churning heat during colds. But the instructions for use with Acetylsalicylic Acid for children recommend the following dosages:
- If the baby is 2-3 years old, then the dosage should not exceed 100 mg per day.
- At the age of 4-6 years, the dose can be increased to 200 mg per day.
- Children 7-9 years old can be given no more than 300 mg of the drug per day.
- For those who have reached the age of 12 years, the daily dose is half a tablet of the drug.
This dosage of "Acetylsalicylic acid" in the instructions for use for children is designed for the average baby, but it is always necessary to take into account the characteristics of the child's body, the course of the pathology and the weight of the child. The maximum amount of active substance should not exceed 30 mg per kilogram of body weight.
If you believe the information in the instructions, then the drug is forbidden to give to children who are not yet two years old. Many pediatricians generally do not recommend using it in pediatric therapy. Now a large number of medicines for babies are available that can be used from birth.
Why are pediatricians so opposed to Aspirin? This can be explained by the following points:
- The active substance of the drug acts on the children's body quite aggressively.
- The likelihood of developing Reye's syndrome is high. In this condition, brain tissue is affected by toxic substances, and kidney and liver failure develops.
In some cases, complications associated with the use of “Acetylsalicylic acid” can be fatal. The likelihood of developing Reye's syndrome is low, but it remains, and where is the guarantee that complications will bypass your baby? It is better not to take risks and use drugs intended for childhood, and less safe.
When it is not recommended to take "Aspirin"
There are several categorical contraindications to the use of "Acetylsalicylic acid." The effect on the body when ignoring prohibitions on treatment can be unpredictable. The following pathologies and conditions fall into the group of absolute contraindications:
- The presence of aspirin asthma.
- Exacerbation of ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
- Vitamin K Deficiency
- The diagnosis of hemophilia.
- Deviations in the work of the liver and kidneys.
- Aortic dissection.
- Hemorrhagic diathesis.
- During the treatment with "Methotrexate".
- Arthritis and gout.
- The period of bearing a baby.
- Breastfeeding the baby.
- High blood pressure.
- Ray's syndrome.
- A history of a reaction to Aspirin in the form of rashes and redness on the skin was observed.
It is undesirable to use "Acetylsalicylic acid" in the presence of hypersensitivity to the drug. Doctors do not recommend taking the drug in childhood and adolescence during the flu or chickenpox, as well as after diseases. The mechanism of action of “Acetylsalicylic acid” can trigger the development of acute forms of hepatic encephalopathy.
The negative effects of therapy
If contraindications are not taken into account and the recommended dosage is exceeded, then the following side effects can be expected:
- Nausea.
- Pain in the stomach.
- Lack of appetite.
- Allergic manifestations in the form of redness and rashes.
- Thrombocytopenia.
- The development of ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Renal or liver failure.
If you take "Aspirin" for a long time, then you may encounter the following consequences:
- Hearing loss.
- Visual impairment.
- Dizziness.
- Headache.
- Vomiting
- Gastrointestinal bleeding.
In case of undesirable consequences, the therapy with “Acetylsalicylic acid” must be stopped and a replacement should be found with the doctor.
Overdose manifestations
If the therapy is long-term or proceeds with the use of increased doses of the drug, then the following symptoms of an overdose can be observed:
- The development of salicism with general malaise, fever, nausea and vomiting.
- Intoxication of the body can be manifested by convulsions, coma, stupor.
- The development of pulmonary edema.
- Renal failure.
- Dehydration.
When the first symptoms of an overdose appear, the patient must be sent to the hospital.
Depending on the severity of the patient's condition, it is prescribed:
- The introduction of the solution "Sodium lactate", "Sodium bicarbonate."
- If the acidity of urine reaches 7.5-8.0, and the plasma concentration of salicylates is more than 300 mg / l in infants and 500 mg / l in adults, treatment with alkaline diuretics is required.
- Severe intoxication requires hemodialysis.
As the patient's condition improves, he is discharged home.
The use of "Aspirin" in cosmetology
The mechanism of action of "Acetylsalicylic acid" ensures its use in the cosmetology industry. Mask with "Aspirin" has the following effects:
- Relieves inflammation.
- Reduces puffiness.
- Removes redness of the skin.
- Cleans clogged pores.
- Removes the upper dead layer of the epidermis.
- Dries the skin.
Beauticians often recommend using Acetylsalicylic Acid to fight acne. To do this, the tablet is soaked a little in water and the gruel is applied to problem areas. You can add the drug to a face mask.
You can combine the drug with honey or lemon juice. For cooking you need:
- Grind 6 Aspirin tablets.
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Stir until smooth.
- Apply acne and leave to dry.
If honey is used, then 3 tablets should be moistened with water, and after their dissolution add a teaspoon of the beekeeping product.
Some important directions for taking the drug
To avoid serious consequences, it is necessary to consider the following points during therapy:
- With extreme caution, take "Acetylsalicylic acid" in the presence of pathologies of the liver and kidneys, as well as with bronchial asthma, ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Consider before prescribing if there is excessive bleeding or anticoagulant therapy is performed.
- Care must be taken with the medicine for chronic heart failure in a decompensated form.
- “Aspirin” reduces the excretion of uric acid, which can provoke an attack of gout, especially if there is a predisposition to it.
- Long-term drug therapy should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor and with hemoglobin level control.
- To stop the inflammation, do not take more than 5-8 grams per day, since therapy can provoke negative consequences from the gastrointestinal tract.
- If there is surgery, then for a week you must stop taking "Aspirin."
- Long-term treatment requires regular analysis of blood and feces for occult blood.
The combination of drugs with other drugs
When starting to use Acetylsalicylic Acid, it is important to consider that it can respond differently to combinations with other drugs:
- "Aspirin" enhances the toxic effects on the body of "Methotrexate".
- Increases the effect of taking NSAIDs, analgesics, anticoagulants, Heparin, sulfonamides, Triiodothyronine, Insulin.
- The active substance of the drug reduces the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs, uricosuric drugs, diuretics, Captopril.
- Concomitant use with glucocorticosteroids increases the likelihood of bleeding in the stomach.
- Reduces the concentration of "Piroxicam", "Indomethacin."
- The absorption of Aspirin is worsened when taking antacids, Griseofulvin.
- Caffeine increases the absorption of Acetylsalicylic Acid.
- Joint administration with gold preparations is fraught with liver damage.
- Ginkgo biloba extract can cause hemorrhage in the iris of the eye, if you take Aspirin.
- "Metoprolol" increases the concentration of the active substance in blood plasma, which may increase the risk of intoxication.
Before you start taking Aspirin, you must always tell your doctor about the drugs that are currently being taken.
Analogues of the drug
You can replace the drug with drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid as an active or additional component. The following tools fall into this category:
- Asprovit.
- "Aspivatrin."
- Fluspirin.
- "Taspir."
It is better to choose an analogue on the recommendation of the attending physician, who will take into account the patient's condition, the presence of concomitant pathologies.
Taking any medicine can be harmful if you do not follow the dosage, the dosage regimen and neglect contraindications.