Aspirin A.S.A آسپیرین

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and/or inflammation, and as an antithrombotic. Specific inflammatory conditions which aspirin is used to treat include Kawasaki disease, pericarditis, and rheumatic fever.

Aspirin is also used long-term to help prevent further heart attacks, ischaemic strokes, and blood clots in people at high risk.For pain or fever, effects typically begin within 30 minutes. Aspirin works similarly to other NSAIDs but also suppresses the normal functioning of platelets.

One common adverse effect is an upset stomach. More significant side effects include stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, and worsening asthma.Bleeding risk is greater among those who are older, drink alcohol, take other NSAIDs, or are on other blood thinners. Aspirin is not recommended in the last part of pregnancy. It is not generally recommended in children with infections because of the risk of Reye syndrome. High doses may result in ringing in the ears.

A precursor to aspirin found in the bark of the willow tree (genus Salix) has been used for its health effects for at least 2,400 years. In 1853, chemist Charles Frédéric Gerhardt treated the medicine sodium salicylate with acetyl chloride to produce acetylsalicylic acid for the first time. Over the next 50 years, other chemists established the chemical structure and devised more efficient production methods.[1]

What organ can aspirin damage?

Aspirin can cause several forms of liver injury: in high doses, aspirin can cause moderate to marked serum aminotransferase elevations occasionally with jaundice or signs of liver dysfunction, and in lower doses in susceptible children with a febrile illness aspirin can lead to Reye syndrome.[2]

What is aspirin used for?

Aspirin is an everyday painkiller for aches and pains such as headache, toothache and period pain. It can also be used to treat colds and flu-like symptoms, and to bring down a high temperature. Aspirin is known as an acetylsalicylic acid.[3]

Key facts

• It's best to take aspirin with food. That way, you'll be less likely to get an upset stomach or stomach ache.
• Never give aspirin to children under the age of 16 (unless their doctor prescribes it). It can make children more likely to develop a very rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome.
• You should start to feel better 20 to 30 minutes after taking aspirin.
• Aspirin is an ingredient in combined medicines such as Anadin Original, Anadin Extra, Alka-Seltzer Original, Alka-Seltzer XS and Beechams Powders.
• Aspirin as a mouth gel has the brand name Bonjela. Like other aspirin products, it's only for people aged 16 and over. Bonjela Teething Gel and Bonjela Junior Gel do not contain aspirin, so you can give them to children under 16.

To make sure aspirin as a painkiller (including mouth gel) is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:[4]

• have ever had an allergy to aspirin or similar painkillers such as ibuprofen
• have ever had a stomach ulcer
• have recently had a stroke (although depending on the kind of stroke you've had, your doctor may recommend that you take low-dose aspirin to prevent another one)
• have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• have indigestion
• have asthma or lung disease
• have ever had a blood clotting problem
• have liver or kidney problems
• have gout – it can get worse for some people who take aspirin
• have heavy periods – they can get heavier with aspirin
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding

The benefit of aspirin that set it apart from ibuprofen is that aspirin is considered a blood thinner, stopping platelets from clotting together. This makes aspirin a critical medicine to treat those suffering from cardiovascular disease and recovering from heart attacks and strokes.

However, aspirin carries a greater risk than ibuprofen for causing gastrointestinal side effects, such as peptic ulcers. For this reason, full-dose aspirin shouldn’t be used as a long-term pain relief medication.[5]

Reference:

1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin#cite_note-Jeffreys2008-12
2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548900
3. nhs.uk/medicines/aspirin-for-pain-relief/about-aspirin-for-pain-relief
4. nhs.uk/medicines/aspirin-for-pain-relief/who-can-and-cannot-take-aspirin-for-pain-relief
5. sunlightrecovery.com/aspirin-nsaids-avoid