Aspirin

It is acetylsalicylic acid which is potent anti-inflammatory and good analgesic.

Indications

Analgesic (headache, backache, myalgia, joint pain, toothache, neuralgias, dysmeno-rrhoea) Antipyretic, acute rheumatic fever, rheumatoid Arthritis, osteoarthritis, postmyocardial infarction and post stroke patients. Coronary bypass, trans luminal angio-plasty, transient Ischaemic attacks.

Dosage

Analgesic antipyretic : 0.3-0.6 gm three times. Acute rheumatic conditions : 4-6 gm or 75-100 mg/kg/day in divided doses. Postmyocardial infarction and post stroke patients : 50-300 mg daily.

Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity, peptic ulcer, liver disease, bleeding tendencies & Haemophilia, Children suffering from chicken pox or influenza. Pregnancy, avoided in diabetics &in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and should be stopped before surgery.

Special Precautions

Aspirin may precipitate bronchospasm and induce asthmatic attack in susceptible subjects. It may induce gastro intestinal haemorrhage, occassionally major. Use with caution in subjects with gout. Paediatrics: Not recommended under 12 years. Pregnancy: Contraindicated. Lactation: Use with caution. Elderly: No special problem.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, occult blood loss in stools, dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, impairment of hearing&vision, excitement and mental confusion, hyperventilation&electrolyte imbalance. Drug interaction following concurrent use of aspirin with heparin, coumarin or corticoid derivatives, methotrexate, sulfonylureas, probenecid & sulfinpyrazone & spironolactone. It potentiates antiplatelet action of dipridamole.

Drug Interactions

PABA may increase serum levels. Urinary alkalisers, antacids, corticosteroids may increase excretion, May potentiate the effects of anticoagulants, hypoglycaemics, methotrexate, tricyclic antidepressants. May antagonise uricosurics, spironolactone and tetracyclines.