Aspirin
Aspirin is used to relieve pain such as headache, toothache and period pain. It is also used to treat cold and 'flu-like' symptoms and reduce fever in adults (over 16 years of age). Aspirin may also be used to reduce inflammation in muscular aches and pains, but other anti-inflammatory medicines are often preferred.Aspirin works by reducing the production of chemicals called prostaglandins which cause pain.Aspirin is also used in lower doses to reduce the stickiness of platelets in the blood, which helps to prevent unwanted blood clots from forming within the body.
When NOT to take aspirin
Aspirin must not be given to children under the age of 16 to treat minor illnesses. This is because there is a possible association between aspirin and a condition known as Reye's syndrome when it is given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition, but it can be fatal.Do not take any other medicines containing aspirin at the same time as this medicine. Remember many common 'over-the-counter' preparations also contain aspirin. Always read the label to check, or ask your pharmacist for advice. Taking too much aspirin can cause serious problems. If you suspect that you have taken more than the prescribed dose, or if a child has accidentally taken aspirin, contact your local accident and emergency department for advice straight away.
Metabolism of Aspirin
For aspirin to be most effective, the contents of the stomach should be between 2.15 and 4.10 pH acidity. After taking aspirin orally, it begins to dissolve as it enters the stomach's liquids. A half-life cycle for the metabolism of aspirin starts in the stomach approximately 10 minutes after ingestion. By 25 minutes, aspirin blood levels in the bloodstream will drop to 50% of the level it attains as metabolism begins. In this 15 minutes, the aspirin will pass through to the small intestine for accelerated blood absorption and distribution throughout the body's tissues and organs to begin its work.Towards the end of its time in the stomach, the ASA transforms into salicylic acid due to interaction between the gastric mucosa and an enzyme called aspirin esterase (AE). In some studies, it has been found that AE esterase activity is effected by higher than normal glucose and fatty acids levels in the bloodstream during aspirin's metabolism. The metabolism of aspirin in the small intestine accelerates to distribute it to organs and tissues throughout the body; however, the liver seems to be the primary focus for further metabolizing. Up to 80% of the metabolism of aspirin takes place in the liver, where it undergoing rapid chemical changes in combination with the liver's acids and hepatocytes.
Once the metabolism of aspirin is complete, the distribution of the salicylic acid moves beyond blood plasma to fluids throughout the body. Some travels to mix with synovial fluids, which cushion cartilage and bones at joints. At the joints, the aspirin targets prostaglandins to reduce inflammations and pain. It also can be found in the saliva and spinal fluids, as well as the major organs of kidneys, lungs, and the heart. As aspirin readily crosses placental barriers and can be found in breast milk, pregnant and breast-feeding women should ask a health professional before taking aspirin. Aspirin takes up to 48 hours to be completely excreted from the body via the kidneys. The rate of excretion varies widely due to varying pH levels throughout the body. Health conditions such as diabetes, gastric ulcers, and high cholesterol levels all interfere with or delay aspirin's effectiveness in people of all ages. The elderly, particularly the frail and those who have had prior cardiac events, will also see wide variability in metabolic rates, effectiveness, and excretion rates.
Aspirin is used to relieve pain such as headache, toothache and period pain. It is also used to treat cold and 'flu-like' symptoms and reduce fever in adults (over 16 years of age). Aspirin may also be used to reduce inflammation in muscular aches and pains, but other anti-inflammatory medicines are often preferred.Aspirin works by reducing the production of chemicals called prostaglandins which cause pain.Aspirin is also used in lower doses to reduce the stickiness of platelets in the blood, which helps to prevent unwanted blood clots from forming within the body.
When NOT to take aspirin
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you are under 16 years of age or over 65 years of age.
- If you have asthma or any other allergic disorder.
- If you have ever had a stomach ulcer.
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
- If you have a blood disorder such as haemophilia or G6PD deficiency.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other medicine.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
Aspirin must not be given to children under the age of 16 to treat minor illnesses. This is because there is a possible association between aspirin and a condition known as Reye's syndrome when it is given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare condition, but it can be fatal.Do not take any other medicines containing aspirin at the same time as this medicine. Remember many common 'over-the-counter' preparations also contain aspirin. Always read the label to check, or ask your pharmacist for advice. Taking too much aspirin can cause serious problems. If you suspect that you have taken more than the prescribed dose, or if a child has accidentally taken aspirin, contact your local accident and emergency department for advice straight away.
Metabolism of Aspirin
For aspirin to be most effective, the contents of the stomach should be between 2.15 and 4.10 pH acidity. After taking aspirin orally, it begins to dissolve as it enters the stomach's liquids. A half-life cycle for the metabolism of aspirin starts in the stomach approximately 10 minutes after ingestion. By 25 minutes, aspirin blood levels in the bloodstream will drop to 50% of the level it attains as metabolism begins. In this 15 minutes, the aspirin will pass through to the small intestine for accelerated blood absorption and distribution throughout the body's tissues and organs to begin its work.Towards the end of its time in the stomach, the ASA transforms into salicylic acid due to interaction between the gastric mucosa and an enzyme called aspirin esterase (AE). In some studies, it has been found that AE esterase activity is effected by higher than normal glucose and fatty acids levels in the bloodstream during aspirin's metabolism. The metabolism of aspirin in the small intestine accelerates to distribute it to organs and tissues throughout the body; however, the liver seems to be the primary focus for further metabolizing. Up to 80% of the metabolism of aspirin takes place in the liver, where it undergoing rapid chemical changes in combination with the liver's acids and hepatocytes.
Once the metabolism of aspirin is complete, the distribution of the salicylic acid moves beyond blood plasma to fluids throughout the body. Some travels to mix with synovial fluids, which cushion cartilage and bones at joints. At the joints, the aspirin targets prostaglandins to reduce inflammations and pain. It also can be found in the saliva and spinal fluids, as well as the major organs of kidneys, lungs, and the heart. As aspirin readily crosses placental barriers and can be found in breast milk, pregnant and breast-feeding women should ask a health professional before taking aspirin. Aspirin takes up to 48 hours to be completely excreted from the body via the kidneys. The rate of excretion varies widely due to varying pH levels throughout the body. Health conditions such as diabetes, gastric ulcers, and high cholesterol levels all interfere with or delay aspirin's effectiveness in people of all ages. The elderly, particularly the frail and those who have had prior cardiac events, will also see wide variability in metabolic rates, effectiveness, and excretion rates.