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What is Aspirin?

Aspirin is a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medication used to relieve pain, fevers, inflammation and prevent blood clots.

Aspirin works to relieve pain, fevers, inflammation by suppressing the body’s production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormones the body releases when a person is injured which cause a variety of effects including; swelling, fever, increased sensitivity to pain, and stimulation of blood clot formation.

Aspirin prevents blood clots by changing the balance between prostacyclin (which inhibits platelet aggregation) and thromboxane (that promotes aggregation). It irreversibly inhibits the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase, which leads to a reduction in thromboxane synthesis in platelets and prostacyclin in vascular endothelial cells. The vascular endothelium recovers and can synthesize more prostacyclin, but thromboxane synthesis only recovers after new platelets are formed.

There are many conditions that can be treated with Aspirin. The more common applications include:
•   Headaches and migraines
•   Fevers
•   Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
•   Menstrual period pains
•   Colds and flu
•   Burns
•   Sprains and strains
•   Toothaches
•   Arthritis
•   Osteoarthritis
•   Rheumatic fever
•   Rheumatic arthritis
•   Inflammatory joint conditions
•   Pericarditis
•   Reduce the risk of an Ischemic Stroke
•   Reduce the risk of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
•   Reduce the risk of a Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
•   Reduce the death during a Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
•   Reduce the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
•   Reduce the risk of a Colon Cancer
•   Reduce the risk of a blood clots after major surgery
•   Reduce the risk of a blood clots following the placement of a Coronary Stent

Side Effects

The side effects of Aspirin can include:
•   Reye’s Syndrome
•   Indigestion (Dyspepsia)
•   Epigastric distress
•   Heartburn
•   Nausea
•   Gastric ulcers
•   Gastrointestinal bleeding
•   Vomiting
•   Stomach Pain
•   Hives
•   Rash
•   Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat
•   Wheezing or difficulty breathing
•   Hoarseness
•   Fast heartbeat
•   Fast breathing
•   Cold, clammy skin
•   Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears)
•   Loss of hearing
•   Increased risk of Cerebral Microbleeds

You should contact your doctor, or nearest hospital, immediately if you are experiencing any of these side effects.

Warnings & Interactions

Before taking Aspirin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional is aware of all other medications you are currently taking to avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions.

Do not drink alcohol while taking Aspirin, as this can increase the risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that children and teenagers who have, or are recovering from chicken pox or flu-like symptoms, should not use Aspirin due to the increased risk of Reye’s Syndrome.

An overdose of Aspirin can lead to a life-threatening condition called Aspirin Poisoning. Initial treatment of an acute overdose involves resuscitation, followed by gastric decontamination by administering activated charcoal.

Aspirin should not be given to a victim of a stroke before it has been diagnosed by a medical professional. 80 percent of strokes are caused by a blood clots (Ischemic Stroke), but if the stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the head (Haemorrhagic Stroke), Aspirin could make the bleeding worse and increase the chance of death.

Pregnancy Warnings

Aspirin use is not recommended during pregnancy. It should only be used during pregnancy when there are no alternatives, and the benefits outweigh the risks.

Australian TGA pregnancy category: C

Breastfeeding Warnings

Aspirin use is generally considered acceptable while breastfeeding. The benefits should outweigh the risks.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Dosage Forms

Aspirin is available in the following dosage forms:
•   Oral Tablet
•   Enteric Coated Oral Tablet
•   Extended Release Oral Tablet
•   Oral Capsule
•   Chewable Tablet
•   Effervescent Tablet
•   Delayed Release Capsule
•   Rectal Suppository
•   Compounding Powder
•   Oral Powder for Reconstitution
•   Oral Gum
•   Solution for Intravenous Injection

Additional Information

Aspirin contains salicylate, which is derived from willow bark. Its first medicinal use was recorded around 400 BC, in the time of Hippocrates, when people chewed willow bark to relieve inflammation and fever.

Aspirin in its present form has been around for over 120 years, and it is still one of the most widely used medications in the world. It is estimated that around 35,000 metric tons of aspirin is consumed annually.

Aspirin is still one of the most researched drugs in the world, with an estimated 700 to 1,000 clinical trials conducted each year. Research in recent years indicates that an ongoing small dose of Aspirin may lower the risk of certain types of cancers, most notably colon cancer.

Aspirin can be combined with other Antiplatelet medications such as Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, or Ticagrelor for use in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy.

Aspirin is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.