ASPIRIN

Question 1

What is aspirin 300 mg taken for?

Answer 1

• As an anti-inflammatory analgesic which can relieve pain and swelling
• To bring down high body temp
• To prevent recurrence of heart attacks or strokes by thinning the blood

Question 2

When should you not take aspirin?

Answer 2

• If you have had problems with blood not clotting properly
• If you have cerebral haemorrhage
• If you are in last trimester of pregnancy
• Ever had ulcer in stomach or small intestine
• 16 or under as it leads to increase risk of Reye’s syndrome

Question 3

Before you take aspirin 300 mg what should you tell your doctor?

Answer 3

• If you think you may be dehydrated
• Have trouble with kidney or liver
• Have high blood pressure
• Are asthmatic - aspirin may induce asthma attack
• Ever had inflammatory bowel disease
• Have or have had gout

Question 4

State some drugs that interact with aspirin.

Answer 4

• Warfarin
• Diuretics and ACE-inhibtors
• Ibuprofen or steroids
• Insulin
• Corticosteroids

Question 5

Counselling points for aspirin.

Answer 5

• Avoid alcohol - can increase risk of bleeding in stomach or intestines
• Do not take whilst pregnant/breastfeeding

Question 6

How to take aspirin?

Answer 6

• For pain and swelling or fever: up to 3 300 mg tablets 3-4 times a day
• Acute rheumatic disorders:
  doctor will tell you how many to take but usually 4-8 grams of 300 mg aspirin
• Prevention of heart attacks, angina or mini-strokes: one or two 75 mg tablets or one 300 mg tablet each day

Question 7

State some of the side effects of aspirin.

Answer 7

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- Less common: vomiting blood, high fever, bleeding or bruising