Aspirin Flashcards
4 functions of aspirin?
- Anti pyrexic
- Anti-platelet/ thrombotic.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Analgesic - mild/moderate.
What is the chemical name of aspirin?
Acetylsalicylic acid
What are the routes of aspirin? (how can it be given to the patient)?
- White tablet.
- Dispersible.
What must we ensure the patient does not do when taking an aspirin pill?
Not simply placing the aspirin on the affected area in the mouth.
1. Not effective at providing pain relief.
2. Due to its acidic nature, can cause SLOUGHING and ULCERATION/ EROSION in the mouth.
What does COX stand for?
Cyclo-oxygenase.
What is the mechanism of action of aspirin?
Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) isoenzyme inhibition
COX inhibition reduces Eicosanoid (prostanoid) synthesis
What type of inhibition does aspirin cause? How? What 3 molecules does this affect?
- IRREVERSIBLE inhibition of COX enzymes.
- By ACETYLATION to a serine.
- Prostaglandin, prostacycline, thromboxane.
What does COX inhibition reduce?
Eicosanoid (prostanoid) synthesis.
7 actions of PROSTAGLANDIN and THROMBOXANE?
- Regulate BP
- Renal effects (renin, angiotensin, aldosterone system).
- Inflammatory response.
- Duration and intensity of pain.
- Fever.
- Gastric effects.
- Inhibits platelet aggregation and thrombosis.
How does aspirin inhibit COX enzymes?
- Irreversible acetylation of COX enzymes, inhibits COX 1 and COX 2.
- Prevents binding of arachidonic acid to the active sites of the COX enzymes.
Which COX enzyme is best inhibited by aspirin?
COX 1 enzyme is inhibited 100x more effectively than COX 2
- Anti nociceptive activity.
- Inhibit cell migration.
- Inhibit neutrophil function.
- Reduce membrane permeability.
- Reduce antibody production.
The inhibition of which COX enzyme is thought to give aspirin its anti-inflammatory effects?
COX2
The inhibition of which COX enzyme is thought to give aspirin its adverse effects?
COX 1
