Aspirin

Aspirin is a pharmaceutical drug used to reduce pain or inflammation. It is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Aspirin can be used to treat:

  • Mild to moderate pain
  • Fever
  • Swollen, red and tender body tissues
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Rheumatic fever
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How Is It Used?

It is also used in the prevention of blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and bowel cancer.

Some people misuse aspirin by intentionally taking more than the recommended dose in a mistaken attempt to get ‘high’, or as an act of self-harm.

How Does it Look Like?

Aspirin is usually swallowed and comes in different forms including:

  • Tablets
  • Capsules
  • Suppositories
  • Soluble powders and tablets
  • Liquids

Aspirin Overdose

If the dose is too high, you might overdose. If you have any of these symptoms, call an ambulance straight away by dialing 999 or 112:

  • Headaches
  • Confusion
  • Fever
  • Deafness
  • Vomiting
  • Rapid and shallow breathing
  • Seizures
  • Stop breathing & Coma

Side Effects of
Aspirin

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk – even medications can produce unwanted side effects.

The effects of taking Aspirin with other drugs including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Aspirin affects everyone differently, based on:

  • A person’s size, weight and health
  • Whether the person is used to taking it
  • Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
  • The amount taken

The Most Common side effects of Aspirin are:

  • Dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision
  • Drowsiness, fatigue, depression
  • Thirst, sweating, fluid retention, swollen ankles
  • Abdominal discomfort or bloating
  • Nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation

Long-term side effects:

  • Regular use of aspirin may eventually cause the following effects:
  • Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
  • Easy bruising and abnormal bleeding
  • Inflamed stomach lining, stomach bleeding and peptic ulcers
  • Vomiting blood that may look like coffee grounds and bowel motions that look like black tar
  • An allergic-type reaction, wheezy breathing and a tightness in the chest in adults, hives in children, and in some rare cases swelling of the face, lips, tongue or around the eyes
  • Reduced kidney and liver function

ASPIRIN + ALCOHOL

Can increase the risk of stomach irritation and discomfort.

ASPIRIN + WARFARIN OR SOME BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICINES

May increase the risk of bleeding.

Mixing Aspirin with other drugs