Aspirin
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular drugs / Anti-platelet drugs
Indications :
Aspirin is employed for its antiplatelet activity within the initial treatment of cardiovascular disorders like angina and myocardial infarct and for the prevention of cardiovascular events during a sort of condition or procedures for patients in danger.
- Aspirin is employed as a part of the initial treatment of unstable angina.
- It is given within the early treatment of myocardial infarct.
- It may even be of some benefit within the initial treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
- It is useful for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with stable or unstable angina or those with acute or prior myocardial infarct.
- Aspirin reduces the danger of future serious vascular events, including stroke, in patients who have already suffered an ischemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack.
- It is of use within the long-term management of fibrillation, for the prevention of stroke in patients with contraindications to warfarin or if there are not any other risk factors for stroke.
- It is recommended to be used in preventing thrombotic complications related to procedures like angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery grafting.
Pharmacology :
By decreasing platelet aggregation, Aspirin inhibits thrombus formation on the arterial side of the circulation, where thrombi are formed by platelet aggregation and anticoagulants have little effect. Aspirin is the analgesic of choice for headache, transient musculoskeletal pain, and dysmenorrhoea. it's anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties, which can be useful. The enteric coating reduces intestinal disturbance and gastrointestinal ulceration thanks to aspirin.
Dosage & Administration :
- Pain, Inflammatory diseases, and as Antipyretic: Aspirin 300 mg 1-3 tablets 6 hourly with a maximum daily dose of 4 g.
- Thrombotic cerebrovascular or Cardiovascular disease: Aspirin 300 mg 1 tablet or Aspirin 75 mg 4 tablets daily.
- After Myocardial infarction: Aspirin 75 mg 2 tablets daily for 1 month.
- Following by-pass surgery: Aspirin 75 mg 1 tablet daily.
Interaction :
Salicylates may enhance the effect of anticoagulants, oral hypoglycaemic agents, phenytoin, and sodium valproate. They inhibit the uricosuric effect of probenecid and should increase the toxicity of sulphonamides. they'll also precipitate bronchospasm or induce attacks of asthma in susceptible subjects.
Contraindications :
Aspirin is contraindicated to the youngsters (Reye's syndrome) under 12 years, in breast-feeding and active peptic ulceration. it's also contraindicated in bleeding thanks to hemophilia and other ulceration. Hypersensitivity to aspirin, hypoprothrombinaemia is additionally contraindicated
Side Effects :
Side effects of the standard dosage of Aspirin are mild including nausea, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal ulceration, and bronchospasm, etc.
Pregnancy & Lactation :
Aspirin should be avoided during the last 3 months of pregnancy. As aspirin is excreted in breast milk, aspirin shouldn't be taken by patients who are breast-feeding.
Precautions & Warnings :
It should be administered cautiously in asthma, uncontrolled vital signs, and pregnant women. it's especially important to not use aspirin during the last 3 months of pregnancy unless specifically directed to try to so by a doctor because it's going to cause problems within the unborn child or complications during delivery. It should be administered with caution to patients with a nasal polyp and nasal allergy. Aspirin penetrates into breast milk. So, it should be administered with caution to lactating mothers.
Overdose Effects :
Overdosage produces dizziness, tinnitus, sweating, nausea and vomiting, confusion, and hyperventilation. Gross overdosage may cause CNS depression with coma, cardiovascular collapse, and respiratory depression. If the overdosage is suspected, the patient should be kept under observation for a minimum of 24 hours, as symptoms and salicylate blood levels might not become apparent for several hours. Treatment of overdosage consists of lavage and made alkaline diuresis. Haemodialysis could also be necessary in severe cases.
Storage :
Store in a cool and dry place, shielded from light.