Why do you need acetylsalicylic acid in tablets? Is acetylsalicylic acid "Aspirin"? What does acetylsalicylic acid help with?

Structural formula

True, empirical, or gross formula: C9H8O4

Chemical composition of Acetylsalicylic acid

Molecular weight: 180.159

Acetylsalicylic acid(colloquial aspirin; lat. Acidum acetylsalicylicum, salicylic ester of acetic acid) is a drug that has an analgesic (pain reliever), antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effect. The mechanism of action and safety profile of acetylsalicylic acid have been well studied, its effectiveness has been clinically tested, and therefore this drug is included in the list of essential medicines of the World Health Organization, as well as in the list of vital and essential medicines of the Russian Federation. Acetylsalicylic acid is also widely known under the brand name Aspirin, patented by Bayer.

Story

Traditional medicine has long recommended the bark of young branches of white willow as an antipyretic, for example, for preparing a decoction. The bark has also received recognition from doctors under the name Salicis cortex. However, all existing therapeutic agents from willow bark had a very serious side effect - they caused severe abdominal pain and nausea. Salicylic acid was first isolated in a stable form suitable for purification from willow bark by the Italian chemist Rafel Piria in 1838. It was first synthesized by Charles Frederic Gerard in 1853. In 1859, chemistry professor Hermann Kolbe from the University of Marburg discovered the chemical structure of salicylic acid, which made it possible to open the first factory for its production in Dresden in 1874. In 1875, sodium salicylate was used to treat rheumatism and as an antipyretic. Soon its glucosuric effect was established, and salicin began to be prescribed for gout. On August 10, 1897, Felix Hoffman, working in the laboratories of Bayer AG, first obtained samples of acetylsalicylic acid in a form suitable for medical use; Using the acetylation method, he became the first chemist in history to obtain salicylic acid in chemically pure and stable form. Along with Hoffman, Arthur Eichengrün is also called the inventor of aspirin. The raw material for the production of acetylsalicylic acid was the bark of the willow tree. Bayer has registered a new drug under the brand name aspirin. Hoffman discovered the healing properties of acetylsalicylic acid while trying to find a cure for his father, who suffered from rheumatism. In 1971, pharmacologist John Wayne demonstrated that acetylsalicylic acid inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. For this discovery, he, along with Suna Bergström and Bengt Samuelsson, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1982; in 1984 he was awarded the title of Knight Bachelor.

Trade name Aspirin

After much debate, they decided to take as a basis the already mentioned Latin name of the plant from which the Berlin scientist Karl Jakob Lovig first isolated salicylic acid - Spiraea ulmaria. “a” was added to the four letters “spir” to emphasize the special role of the acetylation reaction, and “in” was added to the right for euphony and in accordance with established tradition. The result is an easy-to-pronounce and easy-to-remember name, Aspirin. Already in 1899, the first batch of this medicine went on sale. Initially, only the antipyretic effect of aspirin was known, but later its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties were also discovered. In the early years, aspirin was sold as a powder, and since 1904 in tablet form. In 1983, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that proved a new important property of the drug - when used during unstable angina, the risk of such an outcome as myocardial infarction or death is halved. Acetylsalicylic acid also reduces the risk of cancer, particularly of the breast and colon.

Mechanism of action

Suppression of the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Acetylsalicylic acid is an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (PTGS), an enzyme involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Acetylsalicylic acid acts in the same way as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (in particular, diclofenac and ibuprofen), which are reversible inhibitors. Thanks to a remark by Nobel laureate John Wayne, which he hypothesized in one of his papers, acetylsalicylic acid has long been thought to act as a suicide inhibitor of cyclooxygenase by acetylating the hydroxyl group in the active site of the enzyme. Further research showed that this is not the case.

Pharmacological action

Acetylsalicylic acid has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects, and is widely used for feverish conditions, headaches, neuralgia, etc. and as an antirheumatic agent. The anti-inflammatory effect of acetylsalicylic acid (and other salicylates) is explained by its influence on the processes occurring at the site of inflammation: a decrease in capillary permeability, a decrease in hyaluronidase activity, limiting the energy supply of the inflammatory process by inhibiting the formation of ATP, etc. In the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action, inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis is important. The antipyretic effect is also associated with the effect on the hypothalamic thermoregulation centers. The analgesic effect is due to the effect on pain sensitivity centers, as well as the ability of salicylates to reduce the algogenic effect of bradykinin. The blood thinning effect of acetylsalicylic acid allows it to be used to reduce intracranial pressure during headaches. Salicylic acid has served as the basis for a whole class of medicinal substances called salicylates, an example of such a drug is dihydroxybenzoic acid.

Application

Acetylsalicylic acid is widely used as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic agent. It is used independently and in combination with other medications. There are a number of ready-made medicines containing acetylsalicylic acid (tablets “Citramon”, “Coficil”, “Asphen”, “Askofen”, “Acelysin”, etc.). Recently, injectable preparations have been obtained, the main active ingredient of which is acetylsalicylic acid (see Acelizin, Aspisol). Acetylsalicylic acid is prescribed orally after meals in tablet form. Usual doses for adults as an analgesic and antipyretic (for febrile illnesses, headaches, migraines, neuralgia, etc.) 0.25-0.5-1 g 3-4 times a day; for children, depending on age, from 0.1 to 0.3 g per dose. For rheumatism, infectious-allergic myocarditis, rheumatoid polyarthritis, adults are prescribed 2-3 g (less often 4 g) per day for a long time, children 0.2 g per year of life per day. A single dose for children aged 1 year is 0.05 g, 2 years - 0.1 g, 3 years - 0.15 g, 4 years - 0.2 g. Starting from the age of 5, it can be prescribed in tablets of 0 .25 g per appointment. Acetylsalicylic acid is an effective, quite affordable drug that is widely used in outpatient practice. It must be taken into account that the use of the drug must be carried out with precautions due to the possibility of a number of side effects. Many cases have been described when ingestion of even 40 grams of ethanol (100 grams of vodka) in combination with such conventional drugs as aspirin or amidopyrine was accompanied by severe allergic reactions, as well as gastric bleeding. The use of acetylsalicylic acid in everyday life is widespread as a means to alleviate suffering the morning after alcohol poisoning (to relieve a hangover). It is an integral component of the widely known drug Alka-Seltzer. According to research by Professor Peter Rothwell (University of Oxford), based on an analysis of the health status of 25,570 patients, regular use of acetylsalicylic acid reduces the 20-year risk of developing prostate cancer by approximately 10%, lung cancer by 30%, and bowel cancer by 30%. by 40%, cancer of the esophagus and throat - by 60%. Regular use of acetylsalicylic acid for more than 5 years at a dose of 75 to 100 mg reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 16%.

Antiplatelet effect

An important feature of acetylsalicylic acid is its ability to have an antiplatelet effect, that is, to prevent spontaneous and induced platelet aggregation. Substances that have an antiplatelet effect have become widespread in medicine to prevent the formation of blood clots in people who have suffered a myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, who have other manifestations of atherosclerosis (for example, exertional angina, intermittent claudication), as well as at high cardiovascular risk. Risk is considered “high” when the risk of developing a nonfatal myocardial infarction or death due to heart disease in the next 10 years is greater than 20%, or the risk of death from any cardiovascular disease (including stroke) in the next 10 years is greater than 5%. Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, increase the risk of bleeding. Acetylsalicylic acid, as a means of primary prevention of complications of atherosclerosis, can be effectively used at a dose of 75-100 mg/day; this dose is well balanced in the effectiveness/safety ratio. Acetylsalicylic acid is the only antiplatelet drug whose effectiveness when prescribed in the acute period of ischemic stroke is supported by evidence-based medicine. Studies have demonstrated a trend towards a decrease in mortality both during the first 10 days and within 6 months after ischemic stroke, in the absence of significant hemorrhagic complications.

Side effect

Safe daily dose of acetylsalicylic acid: 4 g. Overdose leads to severe pathologies of the kidneys, brain, lungs and liver. Medical historians believe that the massive use of acetylsalicylic acid (10-30 g each) significantly increased mortality during the 1918 influenza pandemic. When using the drug, profuse sweating may also develop, tinnitus and hearing loss, angioedema, skin and other allergic reactions may appear. The so-called ulcerogenic (causing the appearance or exacerbation of stomach and/or duodenal ulcers) effect is characteristic to one degree or another of all groups of anti-inflammatory drugs: both corticosteroid and non-steroidal (for example, butadione, indomethacin, etc.). The appearance of stomach ulcers and gastric bleeding when using acetylsalicylic acid is explained not only by the resorptive effect (inhibition of blood clotting factors, etc.), but also by its direct irritating effect on the gastric mucosa, especially if the drug is taken in the form of uncrushed tablets. This also applies to sodium salicylate. With prolonged use of acetylsalicylic acid without medical supervision, side effects such as dyspeptic disorders and gastric bleeding may occur. To reduce the ulcerogenic effect and gastric bleeding, you should take acetylsalicylic acid (and sodium salicylate) only after meals; it is recommended to crush the tablets thoroughly and wash them down with plenty of liquid (preferably milk). There is, however, evidence that gastric bleeding may also occur when taking acetylsalicylic acid after meals. Sodium bicarbonate promotes a more rapid release of salicylates from the body, however, to reduce the irritating effect on the stomach, they resort to taking alkaline mineral waters or sodium bicarbonate solution after acetylsalicylic acid. Abroad, acetylsalicylic acid tablets are produced in an enteric (acid-resistant) coating in order to avoid direct contact of ASA with the stomach wall. With long-term use of salicylates, the possibility of developing anemia should be taken into account and blood tests should be systematically performed and the presence of blood in the stool should be checked. Due to the possibility of allergic reactions, caution should be exercised when prescribing acetylsalicylic acid (and other salicylates) to persons with hypersensitivity to penicillins and other “allergenic” drugs. With increased sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, aspirin asthma may develop, for the prevention and treatment of which methods of desensitizing therapy using increasing doses of acetylsalicylic acid have been developed. It should be taken into account that under the influence of acetylsalicylic acid, the effect of anticoagulants (coumarin derivatives, heparin, etc.), hypoglycemic drugs (sulfonylurea derivatives) is enhanced, the risk of gastric bleeding increases with the simultaneous use of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the side effects of methotrexate increase. The effect of furosemide, uricosuric drugs, and spironolactone is somewhat weakened.

In children and pregnant women

Due to the available experimental data on the teratogenic effect of acetylsalicylic acid, it is not recommended to prescribe it and preparations containing it to women in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Taking non-narcotic painkillers (aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol) during pregnancy increases the risk of developmental disorders of the genital organs in newborn boys in the form of cryptorchidism. The results of the study showed that the simultaneous use of two of the three listed drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of having a child with cryptorchidism up to 16 times compared with women who did not take these drugs. Currently, there is evidence of the possible danger of using acetylsalicylic acid in children to reduce temperature during influenza, acute respiratory and other febrile diseases in connection with the observed cases of the development of Reye's syndrome (hepatogenic encephalopathy). The pathogenesis of the development of Reye's syndrome is unknown. The disease progresses with the development of acute liver failure. The incidence of Reye's syndrome among children under 18 years of age in the United States is approximately 1 in 100,000, with a mortality rate exceeding 36%.

Contraindications

Peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum and bleeding are contraindications to the use of acetylsalicylic acid and sodium salicylate. The use of acetylsalicylic acid is also contraindicated in case of a history of peptic ulcer disease, portal hypertension, venous stasis (due to decreased resistance of the gastric mucosa), and blood clotting disorders. Acetylsalicylic acid preparations should not be prescribed to children under 12 years of age to reduce body temperature in viral diseases due to the possibility of developing Reye's syndrome. It is recommended to replace acetylsalicylic acid with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some people may experience what is called aspirin asthma.

Properties of matter

Acetylsalicylic acid is white small needle-shaped crystals or light crystalline powder with a slightly acidic taste, slightly soluble in water at room temperature, soluble in hot water within 30 minutes. After cooling. Acetylsalicylic acid, when heated above 200 degrees Celsius, becomes an extremely active flux that dissolves oxides of copper, iron and other metals. in the presence of sulfuric acid. For purification, the product is recrystallized. The yield is about 80%.

Facts

In Russia, the traditional household name for acetylsalicylic acid is aspirin. Based on the traditional nature of the term, Bayer was denied registration of the “aspirin” brand in Russia.
More than 80 billion aspirin tablets are consumed annually.
In 2009, researchers discovered that salicylic acid, of which acetylsalicylic acid is a derivative, can be produced by the human body.
Acetylsalicylic acid is used as an active acid flux for soldering and tinning with low-melting solders.
Scientists have discovered that aspirin can help treat many cases of infertility in women because... it counteracts inflammation caused by a protein whose elevated levels cause miscarriages. Women can increase their chances of becoming pregnant by taking limited doses of aspirin.

The action of any complex and multicomponent drug is based on the properties of each of its individual elements. And if a pharmaceutical novelty can be expensive, then very often it is possible to purchase separately the main component of the drug and use it exclusively, saving a considerable amount. Among such simple and effective substances, it is worth highlighting acetylsalicylic acid, known to everyone. The drug has been used for many years as a remedy for pain and inflammation, and during all this time many more ways to use it have been found. Let's consider all aspects of using the tool in more detail.

Acetylsalicylic acid - what is it?

Acetylsalicylic acid is a derivative of salicylic acid that is used for medical purposes as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a product for preventing the aggregation of blood cells. The substance itself is represented by white needle-shaped crystals or fine white powder, which has no distinct odor and easily dissolves in water and alcohol at temperatures above room temperature. It is offered to patients in tablet form, usually at a dosage of 500 mg per tablet.

Composition and effect of the drug

As already mentioned, acetylsalicylic acid is a tablet form of the substance, which is nothing more than just a compressed block of the active substance with the addition of several additional components (namely, potato starch, citric and stearic acid, talc and anhydrous silicon dioxide). The drug belongs to the group of analgesics and antipyretics.

Acid has an effect on the body in several directions: it helps fight inflammatory processes, relieves the intensity of painful sensations, lowers temperature and prevents blood platelets from sticking together (the so-called anti-aggregation effect). The anti-inflammatory effect of the drug develops over 24-48 hours of regular use; the product also significantly reduces pain at rest and during physical activity, has a positive effect on morning mobility and improves joint function, relieving their swelling. The drug is able to relieve even spontaneous pain, which can occur during movement or in the postoperative period. At the wound site, taking acetylsalicylic acid helps reduce the intensity of swelling and inflammation.

Why is the drug prescribed: indications

Considering all the properties of the drug in question, it is not surprising that there are many indications for its use:

febrile syndrome;
the need to prevent myocardial infarction in coronary artery disease;
diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which are accompanied by pain;
headache, dental, menstrual, muscle pain, neuralgia;
prevention of blood clots;
acute thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the walls of the vein and the formation of a blood clot blocking its lumen);
rheumatoid arthritis;
rheumatic fever and pericarditis.

Instructions for use and dosage

The instructions indicate that the tablets are intended to be taken orally. You should drink them if there is an appropriate need after meals, washing down with either plain water or milk. The standard dosage for adults is 1-2 tablets up to 4 times a day (maximum 1000 mg at a time). The maximum daily dose is 6 tablets (that’s 3 grams of the substance), an overdose of the drug is very dangerous. However, it is not recommended to take the product for longer than two weeks in a row.

As for pediatric patients, the drug cannot be taken until two years of age; a single dose for a child over 2 years old is 100 mg, over 3 years old – 150 mg, and so on, 50 mg per 1 year of age until adult dosages are reached.

How to take for blood thinning

People often hear the expression “thick blood,” but you shouldn’t take it literally. Liquid plasma tissue is formed by red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells, and each of these elements has its own functions. The problem of blood thickening is caused by difficulties with platelets - under the influence of certain factors, they begin to clot more actively, and as a result, dangerous blood clots form.

Acetylsalicylic acid helps prevent platelets from sticking together in liquid tissue, thereby being used as an element in the prevention of thrombosis and how. The action of the drug is aimed at improving blood microcirculation, but at the same time, long-term use of it can result in problems with the digestive tract. Thus, only a doctor can prescribe this method. For prevention, a dose of 200-250 mg per day is usually prescribed (half a tablet for several months), and in emergency situations it can be increased three times.

How to take pills for headaches

Pain syndrome of mild to moderate intensity is one of the indications for using the product. If you are worried about a headache, then an adult can take half or a whole tablet. If the situation does not improve, repeated use is allowed after 4 hours and no more than 2 tablets at a time. The daily maximum dose remains the same – 6 tablets, no more.

Acetylsalicylic acid in cold tablets

Aspirin (this is the same as acetylsalicylic acid) can be used as part of the treatment of colds, but the drug will not help cope with the cause of the problem, it will only be useful as an element of symptomatic treatment. So, the tablets will help cope with the temperature, and will also help relieve aching joints and headaches. Reception in such a situation is carried out according to standard recommendations.

How to use aspirin for fever

If you have hyperthermia, it is recommended to take 1-2 tablets at a time. If there is such a need, then you can take it up to 4 times a day with an interval of at least 4 hours, but again, do not forget about the maximum daily dose of 6 aspirin tablets for an adult. For fever, the child is given part of the tablet in accordance with the age recommendations described earlier. It is worth remembering that acid has an irritating effect on the digestive system, so it is recommended to take it only after meals - this way the impact will be minimal.

For a hangover

In case of hangover, the property of acid to thin the blood is useful, since drinking alcohol has the opposite effect - it increases the viscosity of liquid tissue. Thus, taking the tablet helps to lower the pressure inside the skull, as well as relieve swelling, that is, their use as part of getting rid of a hangover is effective and possible.

It’s worth noting right away that it is strictly forbidden to take acid together with alcohol, as this can result in stomach bleeding. For withdrawal symptoms, it is best to take an effervescent aspirin tablet (for example, Upsarin-Upsa), which must be dissolved in water. This additionally helps minimize the symptoms of dehydration.

For toothache

Aspirin cannot be called the most popular drug for toothache, but it is very successfully used for this purpose. It is worth understanding that the tablet will have a positive effect on the inflammatory process and will partially relieve pain, but if the sensations are too pronounced, then there may not be an analgesic result. During an attack of toothache, you can take 1-2 tablets after meals.

During menstruation

Women's periods are often accompanied by severe pain, and they have to be dealt with with the help of medications. The remedy in question may be useful in such a situation, but only if the pain syndrome is not too intense. So, to get the best results, it is recommended to take the tablets for 3-4 days, starting 2 days before the start of menstruation and drinking 1 tablet 2 times a day.

From pressure

It is worth understanding that aspirin is not a drug for blood pressure, since it does not directly affect it. But this drug can be prescribed in the presence of complications of hypertension to thin the blood, as mentioned earlier.

Use for acne on the face

Using aspirin tablets on the face is a common practice. The mask helps to reduce inflammatory processes, get rid of acne, cleanse pores, remove excess sebum and slightly dry out the oily surfaces of the face. To prepare the product, you need to crush 5 tablets of the drug and mix the resulting powder with a tablespoon of liquid honey and half a teaspoon of jojoba oil. The resulting composition is applied to the skin for a quarter of an hour, after which it is removed with warm water.

Aspirin during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The drug cannot be called harmless to the fetus. Thus, during the first trimester, taking such acid is associated with an increased likelihood of the baby developing various defects, including the formation of a cleft palate. During the second trimester, admission is possible, but only in the presence of acute indications and with the permission of the doctor; in the last period of gestation, admission is completely prohibited.

As for breastfeeding, the substance can partially pass into breast milk, but usually does not cause any side effects in the child, so a one-time dose does not require stopping the feeding process. But using pills in the form of a course can lead to certain difficulties, so doctors usually recommend stopping feeding.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite its versatility in use, the drug in question has many limitations in use. Thus, it cannot be used in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the composition, the acute phase of a digestive tract ulcer, bleeding in the digestive system, aortic aneurysm with dissection, vitamin K deficiency in the body, disruption of the normal functioning of the liver and kidneys, gout. As for use to reduce fever, tablets cannot be used for this purpose in children under 15 years of age if hyperthermia is a consequence of a viral disease (for example, influenza).

When taking the drug, side effects may occur, and they are quite serious, so this once again confirms that only the attending physician can prescribe therapy with such a drug. So, the possible consequences include:

nausea and vomiting, severe pain in the abdomen, loose stools;
the appearance or intensification of headaches, the appearance of tinnitus and dizziness;
in the presence of bleeding, the time to stop it may be prolonged, since the drug reduces the degree of platelet aggregation;
bronchospasm, Quincke's edema;
the appearance of a rash on the skin;
increased symptoms of chronic heart diseases;
disruption of the normal functioning of the urinary system.

Analogues

It is necessary to clarify that acetylsalicylic acid is a substance that is included in many modern drugs as an active ingredient, and its separate tablet form is the most affordable option. In this case, it would be more appropriate to talk not about analogues, but about drugs that contain acid: Aspicard, Aspirin, Acecardol, Bufferin, Cardiopyrin, Thrombo ACC, Sanovasc, Upsarin-UPSA, Fluspirin, etc.

Video: what aspirin tablets help with

There is a lot of information about Aspirin regarding methods and options for its use for human health. But it is important to understand that this is not a universal medicine, and it only has a certain list of problems that it can cope with.

Acetylsalicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Available in tablet form.

Pharmacological action of Acetylsalicylic acid

In accordance with the instructions for Acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient of the drug is acetylsalicylic acid. Excipients in the tablets are citric acid and potato starch.

When used, Acetylsalicylic acid has analgesic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects on the body.

Acetylsalicylic acid tablets effectively eliminate headaches, fevers, neuralgia, and rheumatism.

The anti-inflammatory property of the drug is due to its influence on the processes that occur directly at the site of inflammation.

The antipyretic property of Acetylsalicylic acid is associated with the effect of the active substance on the hypothalamic centers of the brain responsible for thermoregulation.

The analgesic property is due to the effect on the centers of the nervous system that are responsible for pain sensitivity.

The instructions for Acetylsalicylic acid indicate that the medicine inhibits the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which leads to disruption of the process of prostaglandin synthesis. Due to this, the sensitivity of peripheral nerve endings to various pain mediators is dulled, the severity of inflammation is reduced, and the effect on the thermoregulation center is reduced.

When administered orally, the medicine is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Absorption stops as the drug moves into the small intestine and acidity levels increase. Acetylsalicylic acid tablets have high bioavailability. The substance is metabolized in the liver with the formation of several metabolites. The period of complete elimination of the drug from the body depends on the age of the patient and the amount of the drug taken. In adults, this period is 4-40 hours. When taking Acetylsalicylic acid in children, the elimination time of the drug is reduced. Excreted from the body through the kidneys.

Acetylsalicylic acid freely penetrates the blood-brain barrier, into the synovial fluid, as well as breast milk.

Indications for use of Acetylsalicylic acid

Indications for Acetylsalicylic acid are:

Acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic chorea, Dressler's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis;
Diseases of the spine that are accompanied by pain syndromes (lumbago, sciatica, osteochondrosis);
Migraine, headaches, joint, muscle, menstrual and toothaches, neuralgia, osteoarthritis;
Fever syndrome;
Coronary heart disease, thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction (as a prophylactic agent);
Acute thrombophlebitis, pulmonary infarction.

Directions for use and dosage

Acetylsalicylic acid tablets should be taken orally after meals with a sufficient amount of water or milk.

In accordance with the instructions, Acetylsalicylic acid for adults is prescribed 1-2 tablets (500-1000 mg) 3-4 times a day. The daily dose should not exceed 6 tablets. The maximum duration of therapy is 2 weeks.

To improve the rheological properties of blood and as an inhibitor of platelet adhesion during myocardial infarction, ½ tablet of the drug is recommended daily. The duration of use of Acetylsalicylic acid is 2-3 months.

Acetylsalicylic acid for children aged 2-3 years is prescribed in a dosage of 100 mg, children 3-4 years old should take 150 mg, 4-5 years old - 200 mg, over 5 years old it is recommended to take 250 mg of the drug. The frequency of taking Acetylsalicylic acid for children is 3-4 times a day.

Contraindications for use

Acetylsalicylic acid is not prescribed if the patient has diseases and conditions such as:

Gastrointestinal bleeding;
Aspirin triad;
Exacerbation of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract;
Reactions to the use of acetylsalicylic acid and other anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of urticaria and rhinitis;
Hemorrhagic diathesis;
Hemophilia;
Hypoprothrombinemia;
Portal hypertension;
Dissecting aortic aneurysm;
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency;
Vitamin K deficiency;
Kidney and liver failure;
Reye's syndrome.

Acetylsalicylic acid is also contraindicated in pregnant women, during lactation and in cases of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Side effects of Acetylsalicylic acid

When using Acetylsalicylic acid, patients may experience such adverse reactions from the body as:

Nausea;
Stomach ache;
Anorexia;
Diarrhea;
Bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract;
Erosive and ulcerative lesions;
Headaches, dizziness;
Tinnitus;
Violations of the functions of the visual organs;
Anemia, thrombocytopenia;
Impaired liver and kidney functions;
Hemorrhagic syndrome;
Skin rash;
Bronchospasm;
Quincke's edema;
Increased signs of chronic heart failure;
Reye's syndrome;
Aspirin triad.

Overdose

When taking Acetylsalicylic acid tablets in quantities significantly higher than recommended, disturbances in electrolyte and acid-base balance occur.

According to reviews of Acetylsalicylic acid, patients with an overdose experience nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, visual and hearing impairment, confusion, drowsiness, tremor, and dehydration.

In rare cases, coma and metabolic acidosis have occurred during therapy with acetylsalicylic acid.

Additional information

Therapy with the drug should be carried out only if there are direct indications for Acetylsalicylic acid and under the supervision of the attending physician.

The instructions for Acetylsalicylic acid indicate that the medicine should be stored in a dark, cool place out of the reach of children.

Shelf life – 48 months.

Acetylsalicylic acid is available from pharmacies over the counter.

(Acidum acetylsalicylicum)

Registration number:

Р№ 003889/01

Trade name: Acetylsalicylic acid

International (nonproprietary) name: Acetylsalicylic acid

Dosage form:

pills

Compound:

Active substance: acetylsalicylic acid - 0.25 g or 0.5 g.
Excipients: potato starch, talc, citric acid.

Description: tablets are white, slightly marbled, odorless or with a weak characteristic odor, flat-cylindrical with a score and a chamfer.

Pharmacotherapeutic group:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

ATX Code: N02BA01

Pharmacological properties:

It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects associated with the suppression of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, which regulate the synthesis of prostaglandins. Reduces platelet aggregation, adhesiveness and thrombus formation by suppressing the synthesis of thromboxane A2 in platelets. The antiaggregation effect persists for 7 days after a single dose (more pronounced in men than in women).

Indications for use:

Moderate or mild pain syndrome in adults of various origins (headache, toothache, migraine, neuralgia, arthralgia, muscle pain, pain during menstruation).
Increased body temperature during colds and other infectious and inflammatory diseases (in adults and children over 15 years of age).

Contraindications:

- hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs;
- erosive and ulcerative lesions (in the acute phase) of the gastrointestinal tract;
- severe liver or kidney dysfunction;
- “aspirin asthma”;
- hemorrhagic diathesis (hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, telangiectasia, hypoprothrombinemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura);
- dissecting aortic aneurysm;
- portal hypertension, vitamin K deficiency;
- deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
- pregnancy (I and III trimester), breastfeeding period.
- The drug is not prescribed as an antipyretic to children under 15 years of age with acute respiratory diseases caused by viral infections due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy and acute fatty liver with acute development of liver failure).

With caution- hyperuricemia, urate nephrolithiasis, gout, peptic ulcer of the stomach and/or duodenum (history), decompensated heart failure.

Directions for use and doses
For pain syndrome of mild to moderate intensity and febrile conditions, a single dose is 0.5-1 g, the maximum single dose is 1 g, the maximum daily dose should not exceed 3 g. The intervals between doses of the drug should be at least 4 hours. To reduce the irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, the drug should be taken after meals with water, milk, or alkaline mineral water.
The duration of treatment (without consulting a doctor) should not exceed 7 days when prescribed as an analgesic and more than 3 days when prescribed as an antipyretic.

Side effect
- allergic reactions - skin rash, bronchospasm, Quincke's edema;
- formation based on the hapten mechanism of the “aspirin” triad (a combination of bronchial asthma, recurrent polyposis of the nose and paranasal sinuses, and intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid and pyrazolone drugs);
- gastrointestinal disorders - nausea, vomiting, pain in the epigastric region, diarrhea;
- thrombocytopenia, anemia, leukopenia;
- hemorrhagic syndrome (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), increased blood clotting time;
- with long-term use in large doses, the appearance of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, bleeding, black “tarry” stools, general weakness, interstitial nephritis, prerenal azotemia with an increase in creatinine in the blood and hypercalcemia, bronchospasm, papillary necrosis, acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, increased activity of “liver” transaminases, aseptic meningitis, increased symptoms of chronic heart failure, edema.
If such symptoms appear, it is recommended to stop taking the drug and immediately consult your doctor.

Overdose (intoxication) of the drug
In the initial stage of poisoning, symptoms of central nervous system excitation, dizziness, severe headache, decreased hearing acuity, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and increased breathing develop. Later, depression of consciousness occurs, up to coma, respiratory failure, disturbances in water and electrolyte metabolism

Treatment: if there are signs of poisoning, induce vomiting or do a gastric lavage, prescribe activated charcoal and a laxative, and consult a doctor. Treatment should be carried out in a specialized department.

Interaction with other drugs
Acetylsalicylic acid enhances the toxicity of methotrexate, the effects of narcotic analgesics, other NSAIDs, oral hypoglycemic drugs, heparin, indirect anticoagulants, thrombolytics and platelet aggregation inhibitors, sulfonamides (including cotrimoxazole), triiodothyronine; reduces - uricosuric drugs (benzbromarone, sulfinpyrazone), antihypertensive drugs and diuretics (spironolactone, furosemide).
Glucocorticosteroids, alcohol and alcohol-containing drugs increase the damaging effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa and increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding.
Acetylsalicylic acid increases the concentration of digoxin, barbiturates and lithium drugs in the blood plasma.
Antacids containing magnesium and/or aluminum hydroxide slow down and impair the absorption of acetylsalicylic acid.

Special instructions
Acetylsalicylic acid reduces the excretion of uric acid from the body, which can cause an acute attack of gout in predisposed patients.
With long-term use of the drug, you should periodically do a complete blood count and a stool test for occult blood.
In the second trimester of pregnancy, a single dose of the drug in recommended doses is possible only under strict indications.
If it is necessary to use the drug during lactation, breastfeeding should be discontinued.

Release form
10 tablets in blister or cell-free packaging.

Storage conditions
In a dry place, out of reach of children.

Best before date
4 years. Do not use after the expiration date stated on the package.

Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
Over the counter.

Manufacturing company
CJSC "Altaivitamins", 659325, Altai Territory, Biysk, Zavodskaya St., 69.

Often, patients tend to self-medicate as soon as they feel that they have a cold, flu or other infections. It seems to many that there are a number of safe drugs that you can take without seeking a doctor’s recommendation. For some reason, this group of “safe” drugs is usually headed by acetylsalicylic acid. Most of these patients do not even bother to study the side effects of this drug and are very surprised when, instead of positive dynamics, their health worsens. Doctors themselves advise using these tablets very carefully, as they can be quite dangerous for a certain group of people. And even more so, you should not drink them if you feel unwell. In the article we will look at what acetylsalicylic acid is, the side effects and complications caused by it, as well as a list of indications for use.

A little about a drug familiar from childhood

If our mothers and grandmothers knew all the side effects of acetylsalicylic acid, they would not give it at the slightest complaint of headache or suspicion of a cold. The apparent safety of the drug despite its real high effectiveness leads to its frequent and uncontrolled use, which, in turn, becomes the cause of the development of various diseases.

If we do not touch on the side effects of acetylsalicylic acid and give it a brief description, then we can say that the medicine has antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This makes the tablets an indispensable component of the home first aid kit, and besides, they cost mere pennies.

Upon closer examination, the active ingredient of the drug has a crystalline structure. They resemble small needles with a barely noticeable odor. The taste of the medicine is close to slightly acidic.

The instructions for use of acetylsalicylic acid tablets note that they are extremely poorly soluble in water at room temperature. If you still need to take the drug in liquid form, then pour hot water into a glass and the tablet will easily dissolve in it. Pharmacists know very well that ethanol and solutions of certain alkalis give the same effect. However, conducting such an experiment is strictly prohibited.

Acetylsalicylic acid tablets (we'll talk about side effects a little later) are round in shape with a score line. The color of the drug resembles white marble, and no deviations from this shade are allowed.

Composition and release form

In reviews of acetylsalicylic acid, patients never even touch upon the issue of its release form. And this is quite natural, because from the first moment of its appearance on pharmacy shelves, the drug was produced only in the form of tablets. In the eighties, effervescent aspirin, as acetylsalicylic acid is also popularly called, was popular. Today, you can purchase both versions of the medicine. However, pharmacists themselves still advise adults to take acetylsalicylic acid in tablets.

The instructions for use always indicate the full composition of the drug. Its active ingredient is acetylsalicylic acid. Each tablet contains five hundred milligrams.

Also, do not forget about the auxiliary components. There are not too many of them, so allergies to the medicine are extremely rare. The list of additional substances includes:

povidone;
stearic acid;
talc;
potato starch;
lactose monohydrate.

All of the listed components are found in tablets in very low concentrations. Usually we are talking about thousandths, so many patients do not even take the time to carefully study the composition of the drug.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The main effects of acetylsalicylic acid on the patient's body are ensured by some of its properties. We will talk about them in detail in this section.

When taken orally, acetylsalicylic acid reaches its maximum concentration after approximately two hours. It is worth considering that the drug penetrates very easily into all tissues, cells and fluids of the body.

Occurs in the liver, but metabolites as a result of laboratory tests can be detected in the patient’s urine and tissues. Up to sixty percent of the drug is excreted through the kidneys. If acetylsalicylic acid was taken in small quantities, it will be completely eliminated from the body in approximately three hours. With high doses of the drug, this time interval will increase to thirty hours. The average time for removal of substances from the patient’s body is fifteen hours.

It is worth noting that the tablets are absorbed very quickly, entering the patient’s gastric tract. Almost eighty percent of the substances bind to plasma proteins, which indicates the high activity of acetylsalicylic acid. In reviews, patients often write that they experienced relief literally thirty minutes after taking the medicine.

Indications for use

Taking acetylsalicylic acid may be indicated for certain health problems. All of them are divided into two groups:

pain syndrome;
elevated body temperature.

Often pain overtakes a person suddenly and disrupts his usual rhythm of life. Therefore, most people use painkillers, among which our drug ranks far from the last. You can drink acetylsalicylic acid for pain in the joints, muscles and throat. The medicine is also effective for headaches, and in addition to them, tablets can also relieve the characteristic discomfort in women during menstruation. Often the drug also relieves toothache, which is on the list of the most difficult for a person to tolerate.

When we talk about an increase in body temperature, you can take acetylsalicylic acid (adults can find a lot of useful information in the instructions for use) only after reaching the age of fifteen. The drug is effective for colds and infectious diseases. However, in these cases, it only reduces the temperature, but does not neutralize the very cause of its occurrence.

It is worth considering that even when acetylsalicylic acid is used as directed, side effects are possible even with a single dose of tablets.

Who should not take the drug?

The drug has a very wide list of contraindications. Some of them fall into the obvious category, while others should be taken with great caution when taking pills.

First of all, those patients who suffer from hypersensitivity to the drug should give up aspirin. It may not turn into an allergy, but in any case it will bring a lot of unpleasant sensations.

Acetylsalicylic acid is a very strong irritant to the gastric mucosa. Therefore, if you have problems with the digestive system, you should refrain from taking pills. This is especially true for ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, gastric bleeding and other similar diseases.

Bronchial asthma is also a contraindication to treatment and a single dose of the drug. If this disease is combined with other respiratory problems, then even one tablet can cause side effects.

The instructions for use of acetylsalicylic acid specifically note that the medicine is contraindicated for expectant mothers and women breastfeeding. We'll talk about this in more detail a little later.

Separately, it is necessary to talk about the use of the drug in children. Under no circumstances should tablets be given to children under fifteen years of age to normalize body temperature. This age limit should also be taken into account when diagnosing viral diseases. If you do not follow the recommendation, then a small patient may develop Reine's syndrome. And this threatens the child with serious consequences.

Relative contraindications

For some diseases, acetylsalicylic acid can be taken, but constant medical supervision is required during treatment. This category includes health problems for which blood thinners are prescribed.

A tendency to allergies is a relative contraindication to aspirin. Moreover, depending on the severity of the disease, the dosage of the medicine varies.

Liver and kidney failure can be the reasons that slow down the removal of drug substances from the body. This leads to a number of health problems, so during treatment with acetylsalicylic acid, the patient should regularly visit his doctor.

Harm from the drug to the fetus and infants

We have already noted earlier that expectant mothers should absolutely not take the drug. It negatively affects the development of the fetus and leads to various abnormalities. If you take pills in the first trimester, there is a high risk of a cleft palate in your baby.

And in the third trimester, the side effects of acetylsalicylic acid include inhibition of labor, problems with the baby’s blood circulation, and improper development of the vascular system of the lungs.

Young mothers should know that the drug passes into breast milk very easily. Therefore, the baby receives it during meals in fairly large quantities. Due to this, platelet functions are disrupted. The most common consequence of this problem is a high risk of bleeding.

Instructions for use

We think our readers already understand that acetylsalicylic acid is not such a simple and harmless remedy. Therefore, the selection of its dosage must be approached very seriously.

Adult patients (including children over fifteen years of age) can take from two hundred fifty to five hundred milligrams of the drug per single dose. If necessary, you can increase the dosage to one thousand milligrams. However, such situations should still be avoided if possible.

The patient should not take more than three tablets per day. The interval between them should be set at four hours.

For certain diseases, children over fifteen years of age can increase the daily dose to one and a half thousand milligrams. Adults, after consulting a doctor, can take up to three thousand milligrams of medication per day for a short time.

The drug is often taken as a pain reliever without a doctor’s recommendation. In such situations, treatment longer than five days is unacceptable. If after the specified period there is no improvement, then you should contact the clinic. Those who take tablets as an antipyretic should limit the course of treatment to three days. Next, a doctor's examination is required.

Children over the age of six can drink acetylsalicylic acid, but only if acute respiratory viral infections are excluded from possible diseases. However, the dosage for a child should be reduced. Half of one tablet will be enough for him to take.

The drug is very irritating to the walls of the stomach, so it should not be taken on an empty stomach. It is safer to do this after eating. Interestingly, you can take the tablets not only with plain water. They are well tolerated with milk or mineral water. It is better to take alkaline mineral water for these purposes.

List of adverse reactions

The human body can react to taking the drug in completely different ways. Moreover, a whole complex of negative reactions that aggravate the patient’s well-being is often encountered. They are especially aggravated by uncontrolled use of tablets.

On the part of the digestive system, side effects of acetylsalicylic acid include symptoms such as stool disorders (diarrhea and constipation), stomach pain and nausea. Also, other problems often occur during treatment: gastric bleeding, erosion, vomiting and heartburn. Many patients complain of complete or partial loss of appetite.

Side effects of acetylsalicylic acid include tinnitus. It is often accompanied by headaches, problems with hearing and vision.

If the patient takes the drug for a long time, he may experience the development and worsening of vascular diseases. In the presence of heart failure, in almost one hundred percent of cases, the symptoms of the disease intensify.

Any patient during treatment with acetylsalicylic acid has a high risk of bleeding. Kidney problems are also a very common side effect. They can be expressed in renal failure, the development of nephritis and nephrotic edema. All of these reactions are accompanied by swelling of varying degrees.

Acetylsalicylic acid can also cause an allergic reaction. It manifests itself differently in different patients. For example, skin reactions such as rash, itching and minor tissue swelling are possible. However, angioedema and even bronchospasm are also possible.

Use of the drug with other drugs

Doctors, when prescribing acetylsalicylic acid to a patient, always ask questions about the medications that he is already taking. This precaution is due to the fact that the medicine we describe does not combine well with other medications. Therefore, you should not take pills without consulting a doctor.

For example, when taking heparin and acetylsalicylic acid simultaneously, the risk of bleeding increases several times. Their danger lies in the fact that they are often internal in nature.

When combined with anti-inflammatory drugs, acetylsalicylic acid can cause severe damage to the gastric mucosa.

We have given only a few possible examples of unsuccessful combinations of the medicine we describe with others. Therefore, even if it seems to you that one tablet of acetylsalicylic acid will not harm you, it is better not to risk your health and consult a doctor.