How Aspirin works

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-platelet action. It works by preventing platelets from sticking together which decreases the formation of harmful blood clots. This lowers the chance of heart attack or stroke.

Side Effects

Gastrointestinal irritation, Nausea, Vomiting, Dyspepsia, Gastritis, Bleeding disorder, Reduced blood platelets, Gastric erosion, Gastric ulcer

Usage

Aspirin is used to prevent heart attack and unstable angina.
It decreases the chances of having another heart attack or stroke from a disease related to your heart or blood vessels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Aspirin a blood thinner?

Yes, Aspirin acts as a blood thinner. In low doses, it has antiplatelet action and it prevents the platelets from sticking together. This helps to decrease the risk of blood clot formation in blood vessels and provides protection from heart attack and stroke.

Q. Is Aspirin an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)?

Yes, Aspirin is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). In low doses, it protects the heart and prevents heart attacks and stroke. In higher doses, it relieves mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation and is useful in arthritis, minor body aches, and pains and headache.

Q. Can I take Aspirin and clopidogrel together?

Yes, you can take Aspirin and clopidogrel together. Fixed-dose combinations of clopidogrel and Aspirin are available and effectively lowers the risk of heart attack and is used in patients after a coronary artery stent but it can increase the risk of bleeding.

Q. Is Aspirin good for a hangover headache?

No, Aspirin should not be used for alcohol hangover/ hangover headache. Alcohol use cause damage to the stomach lining and use of aspirin along with can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Q. Is Aspirin beneficial in certain diseases of heart?

Yes, at low dose, Aspirin is beneficial for patients who are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It is also advised after stent placement or coronary artery bypass. In low doses, it does not allow the platelets to stick together and decreases the risk of blood clot formation.

Q. Can I take Aspirin empty stomach?

Yes, Aspirin can be taken in an empty stomach particularly to increase its rate and extent of absorption, as the presence of food interferes with Aspirin absorption. Having said so, aspirin taken in an empty stomach can irritate the stomach surface and cause erosions.

Q. Is Aspirin good for hair growth?

No, Aspirin is not known to play any role in hair growth. It is a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). In low doses, it protects the heart and prevents heart attacks and stroke. In higher doses, it relieves mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation

Q. Is Aspirin safe?

Aspirin is safe to use in the doses as advised by the doctor, however, there are some common side effects associated with its use like nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastritis, bleeding disorder, decreased blood platelets, gastric erosion, and gastric ulcer.

Q. Can I take Aspirin with Tamsulosin?

Aspirin and Tamsulosin can be taken together. There are no known drug-drug interactions when they are used together.

Q. Can I take Aspirin with famotidine?

Aspirin can be taken with famotidine. Aspirin is a pain killer and belongs to the group of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) which can increase the gastric acid secretion and worsen stomach acidity, heartburn, and stomach ulcers and drugs like Famotidine are used to prevent and treat gastric problems caused by painkillers.

Q. Can I take fexofenadine with Aspirin?

Yes, you can take fexofenadine with Aspirin. Fexofenadine is an anti-histaminic drug used for the treatment of allergic diseases and Aspirin is a NSAID (non-steroidal inflammatory drug) and has antiplatelet action and helps to relieve pain, fever, and swelling. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.

Q. Are Aspirin and ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) the same?

Yes, Aspirin and ASA (acetylsalicylic acid) are the names for the same medicine. Aspirin is called acetylsalicylic acid, as it is an acetyl derivative of the salicylic acid and is commonly abbreviated as ASA.

Q. Does Aspirin cause H. pylori infection?

Aspirin is not known to cause Helicobacter Pylori infection. However, its use in patients already having H. pylori infection can cause an increased risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding due to these ulcers.

Q. Can I take ibuprofen after Aspirin?

It is advisable to not take ibuprofen with Aspirin. Your doctor can suggest an alternative. Ibuprofen can decrease the antiplatelet effect of Aspirin. When taken together, they can cause increased anticoagulation and potassium levels. Also, Aspirin can increase the level of ibuprofen. If needed, take ibuprofen 8 hours before Aspirin or 2 to 4 hours after.

Q. How and where is Aspirin metabolized?

After oral intake, Aspirin rapidly gets converted to salicylic acid, its major active circulating form. Both are primarily metabolized (broken down) in the liver to salicyluric acid and products like phenolic and acyl glucuronides and others. All metabolites are excreted through the kidneys.

Q. Why is Aspirin contraindicated in patients with asthma?

Yes, use of Aspirin is contraindicated in patients with asthma, rhinitis and nasal polyps. Aspirin can cause allergic reactions like urticaria (raised, itchy, skin rashes), angioedema (swelling of skin and tissue under the skin), or bronchospasm (narrowing of the airway).

Q. Is there any interaction between Aspirin and vitamin D?

No, drug-drug interactions or additional harmful effects have been reported when Aspirin and vitamin D are used together.

Q. Is asacol also Aspirin?

No, asacol is not Aspirin. Asacol is 5-aminosalicylic acid and is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis while Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and belongs to the group of pain killers.

Q. What are the allergic reactions to Aspirin?

Allergic reactions to Aspirin can predominantly affect the respiratory airway tract causing nasal congestion, running nose and difficulty in breathing or the allergic reactions can be limited resulting in urticaria (raised, itchy, skin rashes) and angioedema (swelling of the lower layer of skin and tissue just under the skin).

Q. How is Aspirin helpful to prevent stroke?

Aspirin helps in stopping the processes of platelet adhesion and aggregation (clumping of platelets). Thereby, the risk of formation of blood clots in the vessels supplying the brain is reduced leading to lesser chances of occurrences of stroke.

Q. Is Aspirin bad for your liver?

No, as such Aspirin does not harm your liver. However, if you already have some liver disorder or haven taken Aspirin at high doses, there can be occurrence Aspirin-related toxicity. Hence, it is necessary to disclose your liver condition to the treating physician.

Q. How does Aspirin act as an antiplatelet drug?

Aspirin blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase which is necessary for the production of thromboxane. Thromboxane normally acts as a pro-aggregatory agent causing the platelets to clump and form a clot. Hence, Aspirin by blocking the action of thromboxane functions as an antiplatelet drug.

Q. Can Aspirin make one constipated?

Yes, long-term use of Aspirin has been associated with constipation. However, occurrence of this side effect is not very common.

Q. Does Aspirin really work for acne?

Aspirin contains acetyl salicylic acid. And salicylic acid is a common component of most of the topical (local application) creams of acne. However, Aspirin as such is not used in the management of acne.