Home Molecules Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Molecule Description

Aspirin belongs to the group of medicines called Salicylates. It acts as anti-i

nflammatory analgesic and antiplatelet agent.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Aspirin (low dose i.e., 75-150mg) used for chest pain, heart attacks, stroke, and it prevents blood clots with heart-related diseases.
Aspirin (high dose i.e., above 150 mg) used for fever, pain, swelling (inflammation), and rheumatic fever, heart attacks (by thinning the blood).

Contraindications of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

When should one not use Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

If you are allergic to this medicine or any of the ingredient of this medicine
If you have bleeding disorders
If you have a history of ulcer in the stomach or small intestine
If your age is below 16years
If you have a severe kidney or liver problem
If you are pregnant (last 3 months) or breastfeeding
If you are taking medicines for cancer or rheumatoid arthritis (like methotrexate- more than 15mg per week)

Side effects of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Common side effects of this drug are:

Sever allergic reactions (skin rashes or itching, or wheezing or coughing or difficulty breathing)
Nausea
Vomiting
Ringing in your ears
Pain or discomfort in your stomach after eating
Lower chest pain after eating
Reddening of the skin
Unusual bleeding (blood in cough or vomit, black stool)
Stroke (due to bleeding in the brain)
Indigestion
Increased tendency of bleeding

Precautions and Warnings of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Pregnancy

Can I take Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should not take this medicine unless advised by the doctor as it is unsafe during pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid while breastfeeding?

This medicine is excreted into breast milk. So women should not breastfeed during the treatment. It is advised to consult a doctor before taking this medicine.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid?

It does not impair your driving ability.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid?

You should not drink alcohol while taking Aspirin. Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of intestinal bleeding and prolong bleeding time.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You feel dehydrated or thirsty
You have kidney, liver or heart problem
You have high blood pressure
You are suffering from asthma
You are suffering from a condition called glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
You experience heavy menstrual periods

Mode of Action of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

How Does It Work?

Aspirin works by suppressing the production of chemicals (Prostaglandins and Thromboxane) which cause pain, fever and inflammation. It also prevents your blood cells sticking together and forming a bl...

Interactions of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Interactions with other medicines

Medicines for thinning of the blood (e.g. warfarin)
Medicines to prevent organ rejection after transplantation (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus)
Medicines to treat high blood pressure (e.g. diuretics and ACE-inhibitors)
Medicines to treat pain and inflammation (e.g. anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or steroids)
Medicines to treat gout (e.g. probenecid)
Medicines to treat cancer or rheumatoid arthritis (e.g. methotrexate)
Medicines to treat diabetes (like insulin)
Medicines used as hormone replacement therapy (corticosteroids)
Medicines used to treat inflammation (including rheumatic diseases and inflammation of the intestines)
Medicines to treat fits or epilepsy (phenytoin or sodium valproate)
Medicines to treat infections (antibiotics) such as sulfamethoxazole
Medicines used to treat high pressure inside the eye (glaucoma) like acetazolamide
Medicines to treat acidity (antacids)

Interactions with food items

No information is available on interactions with food while you are taking Aspirin, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.

Dietary Restrictions of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Not much information is available on dietary restrictions while you are taking Aspirin, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.

Dosage of Aspirin / Acetyl Salicylic Acid

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose includes ringing in the ears, dizziness, deafness, sweating, warm arms or legs, increased pulse or breathing rate. So if you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact...

Missed a Dose

Do not double the dose if you happen to miss a dose. Follow the regular dosage.

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Abhishek B L

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What should I discuss with my doctor before taking Aspirin?

A: If you are a known patient of bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or are taking blood thinners, you must tell your doctor about it. Also, if you have had a history of ulcers, stomach swelling (inflammation), kidney disease, gout, asthma, or breathing difficulty that was induced by a painkiller, you must tell your doctor about it.

Q: What should I know regarding the storage of medication?

A: Store it at room temperature or away from excessive heat or moisture.

Q: Any precautions to be followed while taking Aspirin?

A: Before you undergo any surgeries or during medical emergencies, tell your doctor that you are on treatment with Aspirin, as excess Aspirin can cause bleeding disorders.

Q: When and how to consume the medicine?

A: The standard dose prescribed by the doctor is to take Aspirin at bedtime for heart-related diseases. See to it that you take the dose exactly as prescribed by the doctor and do not stop taking medicine unless suggested. For pain management, the dosages are as per the severity and are for a limited period. Aspirin tablet is to be taken with water, after food or milk and avoided on an empty stomach.

References

View All

Last Updated on: 24 Dec 2020 | 01:48 PM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Recent articles

See All

High Cholesterol Diet – Foods to Eat & Avoid!

Introduction Heart disease is the primary cause of deaths around the world. Having too much cholesterol can lead to severe cardiac issues. Thankfully, you can control and reduce the cholesterol levels by watching what you eat, i.e. the right cholesterol foods. Everything that you ingest has an impact on your cholesterol levels. Here is our

Your Ultimate Guide To A Balanced Diet For Diabetes

Introduction Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting more than 100 million people in India. Diabetes occurs either due to insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance, or both which results in high levels of glucose in blood. Managing diabetes is crucial because uncontrolled diabetes can have serious complications like vision loss, kidney failure,

Benefits of Figs Soaked in Water Overnight: Exploring Nutritional Advantages

Key Highlights: Introduction Figs are versatile and scrumptious fruit that has been revered for its proposed nutritional benefits since ancient times. This little fruit, filled with a burst of sweetness, is a powerhouse of essential nutrients that may enhance your well-being. When soaked in water overnight, figs can make a valuable addition to your daily

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Introduction: Recently, dry ice has been in the news due to an unfortunate incident that occurred at a cafe in Gurugram, Haryana. Five diners unwittingly consumed dry ice, mistaking it for mouth freshener. As per news reports, the diners suffered serious injuries to their food pipe and oral cavity after accidentally ingesting the dry ice.

Bubonic Plague Reported: Are We In Danger?

Bubonic plague, which became notorious during the 14th Century in Europe and swept through India from the 1890s to 1910s, is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Contrary to popular belief, this plague isn’t caused by rat bites. The cause of bubonic plague is the bite of infected fleas. These fleas live in the hairs

Simple and Effective Skin Care Routine

Introduction Healthy skin is indicative of the quality of diet and lifestyle one follows. The largest organ of the human body and often overlooked, the skin acts as a barrier and prevents the external components from entering the inside of the body. This entails that, at times, it is exposed to critically harsh conditions, and

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.