ASPIRIN

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)

Cross and Allergic Reactions

Usage

Amoxicillin should not be taken if one has- Mononucleosis, Colitis, Diabetes, Renal Dysfunction, Pku (Phenylketonuria), Hemodialysis--Dose needs to be decreased when in pregnancy

Type

Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. It is a Non selective COX inhibitor. It is the most commonly used medication over the counter for headaches and fever.

It acts by inhibiting cox-1 and cox-2 (these are enzymes) non selectively which in turn inhibits prostaglandin, prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 (these are the messengers of infection) production. Thus act as anti inflammatory.
They reduce body temperature only when person has fever. Antipyretic effect.
Aspirin reduces pain. Analgesic effect
It also prevents platelets from clot formation. Antiplatelet aggregatory action.

History

"The aspirin we know came into being in the late 1890s in the form of acetylsalicylic acid when chemist Felix Hoffmann at Bayer in Germany used it to alleviate his father's rheumatism"

Usage

Aspirin is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug which is a class of analgesic medication, that basically reduce pain, fever and inflammation.

Shelf Life

Shelf life- 2 to 3 years

Manufacturers generally mark expiration dates on aspirin bottles for two or three years after packaging, but studies have shown that aspirin retains 100 percent potency after four years or even longer.

Cross and Allergic Reactions

Aspirin cross reacts -

With other anti platelets and anticoagulants* increases the chance of bleeding
Inhibits excretion of uric acid and methotrexate
Cross reacts with probenecid
Blunts diuretic action of furosemide and thiazides
Reduces action of spironolactone

Allergic reactions caused by aspirin include precipitation of asthma, angioneurotic swelling, urticaria and allergic rhinitis

Reacts with Alcohol (Alcohol will increase dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment.) and CNS depressants

Side Effects

Long term use can lead to serious side effects such as-

Gastric irritation, peptic ulcers, gastric bleeding, perforation*, esophagitis
Renal failure
Headache, mental confusion, seizure*(rarely)
Bleeding, anaemia , thrombocytopenia*
Asthma exacerbation
Nasal polyposis*

Should not be taken if

Should not take if one has and of the following condition-

Asthma, Peptic ulcers, Conditions that could lead to bleeding (surgery/ procedure is planned), Renal or liver failure, Diabetes, In pregnancy- could lead to low birth weight babies, delayed or prolonged labour, post partum bleeding, premature closure of ductus arteriosus, Breast feeding mothers and G6PD- deficient beings.