| Product: |
Aspirin Enteric Coated |
| Date: |
05/07/01 (378 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: See Text
Disadvantages: See Text
Aspirin drug has had something of a chequered history in the 80+ years it has been around, and is both praised and loathed by many both inside and outside the medical profession.
Aspiring is a member of family of drugs known as NSAID's (Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs) and is indicated in a very wide range of conditions.
USES
PAINKILLING
Relief of pain from headaches, period pains, arthritis and other inflammations, it is also a very valuble drug in the reduction of fever associated with infection.
BLOOD THINNING
Its blood thinning properties are recognised widely amongst the medical profession particularly in the treatment and prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
My mum recently had an unexpected heart attack at the relatively young age of 66, and was treated immediately by the paramedics with amongst other things a small dose of this wonderful little drug. There is evidence that given immediately after a heart attack can improve the prognosis for patients.
SORE THROATS & TOOTHACHE
Many people also don't realise that if you have a sore throat, gargling with aspirin can be useful pain relief, and for severe toothache, if you can stomach its bitter taste, dissolve one on the site of pain for instant relief.
MISCARRIAGES
It has also been used successfully in low doses for women with a history of miscarriage where the problem has been found to be narrowing of the placenta. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD NEVER TAKE ASPIRIN (OR ANY OTHER PAINKILLER WITHOUT SEEKING ADVICE FROM A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER)
HOW & WHERE CAN IT BE BOUGHT?
It can be purchased in its generic form in 75mg, 300mg and 500mg tabs, and comes in soluble, capsules, tablet and enteric coated tablets. It can be purchased in pack sizes of 16 or less from your local corner shop, supermarkets and garage forecourts or in bigger pack sizes from your local pharmacy.
BRANDS
It is also marketed unde
r a range of brand names including Caprin and Nu-seals.
COMBINATION PREPARATIONS
* Anadin (325mg) combined with caffeine (15mg) to accelerate the effects, (you can get the same effect taking normal aspirin with a drink of coffee or coke if thats all you have available)
* Anadin Extra (aspirin 300mg/Paracetamol 200mg)
* Codis, which combines 500mg of Aspirin with 8mg of Codeine for when you need something a little stronger.
YOU MUST NEVER TAKE THIS DRUG WITH OTHER NSAID'S - this includes ibuprofen, as it will seriously increase the risk of stomach bleeds.
PRICES
Prices of many of OTC drugs have until recently been standardardised across the industry irrespective of where purchased.
However the governments recent change of heart in allowing supermarkets to sell brand name OTCS at less than the recommended price may soon see a reduction in prices in bigger chains, although as yet some supermarkets have yet to respond to this change.
Just remember, if you can, support your local pharmacy; they are at risk from this government change, and without them my guess it won't be long before the supermarkets start to raise prices again.
DOSAGE
8 x 500mg tablets maximum dose in any 24 hour period, separated into 4 or more doses of no more than 1000mg at any one time with no less than 4 hours between doses, if you can manage longer do it.
It is recommended that you take this drug after food as it is less likely to irritate the stomach.
Heart attack victims are often advised to take 75mg daily to prevent reoccurrences. There has been a lot of speculation about the safety of taking this drug even at this dose where no symptoms are present.
Doctors now advise taking 75mg daily for 14 days prior to a long haul flight, although for healthy indidviduals there is no proof that taking it in other circumstances has any real health benefit and can increase the risk
of stomach problems and blood that won't clot.
WHO SHOULDN'T TAKE IT?
* Anyone with an allergy to acetysallics. (spelling?)
* Those taking other anticoagulant drugs except under strict medical supervision
* CHILDREN UNDER 12 SHOULD NOT TAKE THIS DRUG AS IT CAN CAUSE REYES DISEASE, A RARE BRAIN AND LIVER DISORDER MOST COMMONLY AFFECTING CHILDREN.
* Pregnant women. (see above)
* Asthma Sufferers.
* I would guess haemophiliacs, as aspirin thins the blood.
* Aspirin should NEVER be taken for more than 2 days without seeking advice from your doctor, because of the risk of stomach bleeds and ulcers.
* If you take this drug on a regular basis and need surgery, check with your doctor to see if you should change your routine.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
* Stomach problems
* rash
* Allergy
* Ringing in the ears
* Breathlessnes
* Indigestion
* It can be dangerous if taken in overdose and medical attention should be sought immediately.
* More superficial bruising
* Avoid drinking alcohol when taking it, it will increase the effects of possible stomach problems.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
* Some drugs used for gout
* Anticoagulants
* Some oral diabetic drugs
* Other NSAID's
SUMMARY
A very effective little drug with a wide range of uses, I used to swear by it for my toothache, but these days find that even a small dose gives me a bad stomach, and thus I find myself sticking to Ibuprofen which is slightly less harsh (although not perfect) on the stomach.
Use with caution and if in doubt speak to your GP or pharmacist who have a wealth of knowledge and will be only too happy to advise.
Sue
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