Acetylsalicylic acid, or simply “Aspirin”, is the drug that is found in absolutely every medicine cabinet. It was used for treatment by our grandmothers and parents.
Consider in more detail the information about the medication. In addition, we will find out whether it is possible to give Aspirin to a child from the age of one and whether the drug has side effects.
When is Aspirin used?
The medication has a fairly wide spectrum of action and can be used:
- to reduce heat;
- to eliminate pain of weak and moderate intensity (headache, toothache, during menstruation, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and so on);
- during the treatment of rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic chorea, pericarditis).
In addition, the drug is used to prevent embolism, thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction and the formation of persistent tolerance to NSAIDs in patients who suffer from aspirin asthma.
Instructions for use of the drug for adults
The dosage of the medication for adults depends on the type of disease and can vary from 40 mg to 1 g per day. At the same time, it is divided into several methods - from 2 to 6.
As a rule, the average doses of the drug are as follows:
- With a migraine attack, you can take 1 g of the drug no more than 3 times a day.
- For the treatment and prevention of stroke, the dose will depend on the indications and may range from 125 to 300 mg per day.
- At high temperatures, for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and the elimination of pain - up to 3 g per day. A single dose should not exceed 0.5-1 g.
- If the drug is used to prevent myocardial infarction, its daily dose is in the range of 300-325 mg. As a rule, it is divided into three methods.
There are special instructions for taking such a medication as Aspirin (including children). For example, it must be used after meals to reduce the negative effects of acid on the digestive tract. In addition, tablets should be washed down with a large amount of warm liquid or milk. Soda solution or alkaline mineral water is also excellent. But juices and other acidic drinks should still be discarded.
Aspirin can be used no more than three days in a row. If there is a need for a longer use, you should consult a doctor.
Dosage for children
Many mothers are interested in the question of whether Aspirin is allowed for children. The instruction for the drug contains information about the allowable daily doses of the drug for the child. However, the manufacturer warns that the drug is strictly forbidden to use in childhood to eliminate the temperature that arose against a cold or an acute respiratory viral infection.
So, how to give your baby "Aspirin"? Instructions for use (children are often prescribed the drug) highlights the following points:
- at the age of 2-3 years - no more than 100 mg per day;
- at the age of 4-6 years - a maximum of 200 mg per day;
- at the age of 7-9 years - a maximum of 300 mg per day;
- over the age of 12 years, a single dose is 250 mg (this is half a tablet), and the maximum dose is up to 750 mg per day.
Is it always in such portions that Aspirin is taken? The dosage for children described above is designed for an average baby. Otherwise, it may be adjusted based on the weight of the child. The maximum dose of the drug is 30 mg per kilogram of weight.
As you can see, if you follow the instructions, the answer to the question of whether the child can “Aspirin” in a year will definitely be negative. The manufacturer allows the use of the drug only from the age of two. Although modern pediatricians have a completely different opinion on this matter.
What do the experts say?
A few decades ago, “Aspirin” was used to lower temperatures in both adults and babies. But studies have shown that the drug should not be used to treat patients under the age of 14 years. Otherwise, it can cause very sad consequences.
Why is Aspirin banned for children?
As we already understood, “Aspirin” is not recommended for children under 14 years old. It remains only to find out what this is connected with.
The fact is that this drug acts on the children's body too aggressively. In the end, this threatens the occurrence of such a serious complication as Reye's syndrome. This condition is characterized by brain damage by toxins, as well as the development of renal and hepatic insufficiency. As a result, the patient’s state of health becomes extremely serious, which can lead to death. And although the likelihood of this syndrome is quite low, parents should still play it safe and not give “Aspirin” to children under the age specified above.
Other side effects
In addition to the aforementioned Reye's syndrome, Aspirin can cause some other side effects. Moreover, the probability of their occurrence remains quite high.
First of all, this is the occurrence of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and allergic reactions.
In addition, Aspirin can cause ulcerative lesions and bleeding in the digestive tract.
Reviews on taking Aspirin in childhood
Despite all the warnings of experts, many mothers “Aspirin” still give children. Reviews about taking the drug are quite diverse. While some do not see anything bad in its use and bring down the temperature in babies by this means, others are categorically against it.
Those who used Aspirin to treat their child say that the drug helped to get rid of the heat very quickly, and the effect achieved lasted for a long time. Although there are situations when negative reviews can still be found in reviews. Although very rare, but in some cases, the drug caused dangerous side effects, starting with poisoning of the body, which manifested itself as severe vomiting, and ending with death.
To summarize
As you can see, at first glance, the harmless drug "Aspirin" is still undesirable for children under 14 years of age. Otherwise, parents unwittingly become participants in a kind of “roulette”, which can both help the child quickly cope with the disease, and greatly complicate the situation. Therefore, before applying it is still necessary to think: is this risk justified? Indeed, despite the fact that the chances of the occurrence of Reye's syndrome and other side effects are not so great, nevertheless they exist.
In addition, today there are many other drugs that have been developed specifically for children and are allowed from the age of three months. Such funds are made on the basis of paracetamol or ibuprofen, which more accurately affect the body of crumbs.
In cases where the use of Aspirin cannot be avoided, treatment should be carried out under the constant supervision of an experienced pediatrician. After all, only a specialist will be able to timely notice the appearance of negative changes and will not allow their further development.