Medications and Drugs
Pharmacy Author: Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD
Medical and Pharmacy Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
GENERIC NAME: aspirin
BRAND NAMES: Aspirin, Arthritis Foundation Safety Coated Aspirin, Bayer
Aspirin, Bayer Children's Aspirin, Ecotrin, and many others.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Aspirin is a
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
(NSAID) effective in treating fever, pain, and inflammation in the body. It also
prevents blood clots (i.e., is antithrombotic). As a group, NSAIDs are
non-narcotic relievers of mild to moderate pain of many causes, including
headaches, injury, menstrual cramps,
arthritis, and other musculoskeletal
conditions. Other members of this class include ibuprofen (Motrin), indomethacin
(Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen) and several others. They all work by reducing
the levels of prostaglandins, chemicals that are released when there is
inflammation and that cause pain and fever. NSAIDs block the enzyme that makes
prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower concentrations of
prostaglandins. As a consequence, inflammation, pain, and fever are reduced.
Inhibition of prostaglandins also reduces the function of platelets and the
ability of blood to clot. Aspirin, inhibits the function of platelets in a
manner that is different from other NSAIDs, and its antithrombotic effects last
longer than other NSAIDs. This is why aspirin is used for preventing
heart
attacks and strokes. The FDA approved Bayer aspirin in June 1965.
PRESCRIPTION: No
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Chewable tablets: 81mg; caplets and tablets: 325mg, 500mg;
enteric coated (safety coated) caplets and tablets: 325mg, 500mg.
STORAGE: Aspirin should be stored at room temperature, 20-25 C (68-77 F), in
a sealed container, avoiding moisture.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Aspirin is used for the treatment of inflammation, fever, and
pain that results from many forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis,
juvenile arthritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis,
Reiter's syndrome, and osteoarthritis, as well as for soft tissue injuries, such
as tendinitis and bursitis. Aspirin also is used for rapid relief of mild to
moderate pain and fever in other inflammatory conditions. Because aspirin
inhibits the function of platelets for prolonged periods of time, it is used for
reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
DOSING: Aspirin should be taken with food. Doses range from 50 mg to 6000 mg
daily depending on the use.
- Usual doses for mild to moderate pain are 350 or 650
mg every 4 hours or 500 mg every 6 hours.
- Doses for rheumatoid arthritis include
500 mg every 4-6 hours; 650 mg every 4 hours; 1000 mg every 4-6 hours; 1950 mg
twice daily.
- Heart attacks are prevented with 81, 162 or 325 mg daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Aspirin is associated with several suspected or
probable
interactions that affect the action of other drugs. The following examples are
the most common of the suspected interactions.
NSAIDs may increase the blood levels of lithium (Eskalith) by reducing the
excretion of lithium by the kidneys. Increased levels of lithium may lead to
lithium toxicity.
Aspirin may reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of
blood pressure medications. This may occur because prostaglandins have a role in
the regulation of blood pressure.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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