Aspirin
(OTC)(RX)
ASA.
Acetylsalicylic Acid
The compound acetylsalicylic
acid (ASA) may have been originally synthesized by a French Chemist Charles
Frederic Gerhardt in 1853. This product was acetosalicylic anhydride, which
was similar to ASA. Johann Kraut synthesized ASA in a purer form in 1869.
In
1897, Felix Hoffmann was a chemist who workedfor
Bayer pharmaceuticals. He was determined to find relief for his father
who suffered from severe arthritis, hence he developed acetylsalicylic
acid.
Although
Hoffmann is thought to have discovered aspirin, this is debatable, as he
may have rediscovered Gerhardt’s formula.
Recently,
the FDA has recommended that aspirin be used to treat transient ischemic
attack (TIA) or mini-strokes, heart attacks, and other vascular conditions
previously treated by medical procedures such as coronary bypass operations
and angioplasty. Furthermore, the FDA recommends aspirin therapy for rheumatologic
diseases, such rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis,
spondylarthropathies, and arthritis and pleurisy associated with systemic
lupus.
Contraindications
Aspirin should
not be taken by:
·Patients
who are hypersensitive to aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, including
including patients who are allergic to aspirin.
·Patients
with gastrointestinal problems including persistent or reoccurring stomach
problems.
·Children
or teenagers should not use aspirin for chicken pox or flu symptoms unless
a doctor is consulted. Reye syndrome is a rare but serious illness and
has been reported to be associated with aspirin.
·Patients
with asthma.
·Women
should not use aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless she
has been specifically directed to do so by her doctor.Aspirin
may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.
·Blood
clotting disorders such as hemophilia.
·Uncontrolled
high blood pressure.
·Severe
liver or kidney disease.
A
usual adult Dose including children 12 years and over: One or two tablets/caplets
325 to 650 mg with water. May be repeated every four hours as necessary
up to 12 tablets/caplets a day or as directed by a doctor. Do not give
aspirin to children under 12 unless directed by a doctor.
Administration
& cost
Aspirin
is administered orally or rectally, and its average cost is it cost approximately
$3.00 for 100 tablets of a 325 mg 5 grain dosage. Respectively it cost
approximately $8.00 for 100 tablets of a 650 mg 5 grain dosage.
Aspirin can be fatal
at 200 to 500 mg/kg. Symptoms include CNS stimulation with vomiting, hyperpnea,
This
quickly progresses to depression, coma, respiratory failure, and collapse.
Severe electrolyte imbalance also takes place.
Although aspirin is
a drug commonly used in many house- holds, admissions to hospitals due
to aspirin poisoning occur often. Moreover, when people intentionally poison
themselves, aspirin is a preferred drug. Children overdosing on Aspirin
have been significantly reduced in the United States and the United Kingdom
because of the child-resistant packaging required by law. However, children
currently continue to overdose on aspirin and consequently need medical
attention.
Side effects
Aspirin side effects
is said to be uncommon, but may cause the following:
·Gastrointestinal
upset and pain, asthma, rash, kidney disease, coagulation problems, rebound
headaches
·Ringing
in the ears, loss of hearing, bloody or black stools, wheezing, difficulty
breathing, dizziness mental confusion, drowsiness, skin rash, vomiting
|
Warning
Aspirin at dosages of 1,000 milligrams per day has been associated with small increases in blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, and serum uric acids levels. Patients who are on long-term aspirin therapy should be seen by a physician regularly to determine changes in these meausurements. |
Drug
interactions
·Anticoagulants
·Hypoglycemic
Agents
·Urocosuric
Agents: Aspirin may decrease the effects of probenecid sulfinpyrazone,
and phenylbutazone.
·Spironolactone
·Alcohol:
Has a synergistic effect with aspirin in causing gastrointestinal bleeding
·Corticosteroids:
Concomitant administration with aspirin may increase the risk of gastrointestinal
ulceration.
·Nosteroidal
Anti-inflammatory Agents: Aspirin is contraindicated in patients who are
hypersensitive to NSAIDS.
·Urinary
Alkalizers: Decrease aspirin effectiveness by increasing the rate of salicylate
renal excretion.
·Phenobarbital:
Decrease aspirin effectiveness by increasing the rate of salicylate renal
excretion.
·Phenytoin:
aspirin may increase Serum phenytoin levels.
·Propranolol:
May decrease aspirin’s anti-inflammatory action by competing for the same
receptors.
·Antacids:
Enteric Coated Aspirin should not be given concurrently with antacids,
since an increase in the pH of the stomach may affect the enteric coating
of the tablets.
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