Should I take aspirin during prolonged immobilization? Aspirin and alcohol: consequences and compatibility. How to take aspirin? Side effects from daily therapy with acetylsalicylic acid

The most famous and popular medicine all over the world is aspirin. Its popularity is justified by its low price and wide spectrum of action. These pills were invented in the 19th century by a German pharmacologist who was looking for a way to relieve his father's pain from rheumatism. And he succeeded.

Since that time, aspirin has been actively used to solve a number of problems. This name is patented by Bayer. There are many analogues of this drug, made on the basis of acetylsalicylic acid, but known under a different name.

Can I take aspirin to thin my blood?

In colloquial speech, an expression such as is used. It should not be taken literally. Leukocytes, red blood cells and platelets make up blood plasma. Each of these elements has its own important functions and tasks that ensure the normal functioning of the human body. In this regard, platelets, which are responsible for the ability of tissues to aggregate, deserve special attention. In case of damage to the capillaries, it is the platelets that ensure the gluing of the vessel and blood clotting.

As we age, the human body undergoes major hormonal changes. Special substances that appear in the blood affect the rate of platelet aggregation, which can cause the formation of blood clots in blood vessels. Thrombosis is the main cause of sudden death in people.

Prevention of blood clots should begin in women after 40 years of age and men after 45 years of age. At this age, you need to think about blood thinners. To do this, doctors recommend taking medications that contain aspirin. Such measures help minimize the risk of developing blood clots, which cause heart attacks and strokes.

As practice shows, the main problem of our people is lack of patience. Only long-term use of aspirin drugs can protect against serious consequences. But, unfortunately, not many people understand how important this is and end the course of pills ahead of time.

Who should pay special attention to this issue? First of all, people whose family has had a history of heart attack and stroke. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins are also a reason to prevent the formation of blood clots. The choice of drug should be made by a doctor who will take into account the general state of health, the presence of concomitant diseases and select the most optimal method of treatment.

Can aspirin help? Aspirin has one excellent property - it prevents platelets from sticking together in the blood. The drug can be prescribed in adulthood for the purpose of prevention. How safe is this method? Only a doctor can give a competent assessment. Due to the fact that the vessels and capillaries have a very small diameter, the passage of adherent cells is significantly difficult. Aspirin is aimed at improving blood microcirculation. At the same time, you need to remember that this drug, used over a long period of time, can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Doctors note that a small dose of aspirin is sufficient to thin the blood.

How to drink aspirin - instructions for use

Instructions for the use of aspirin depend on the purposes of its use, which can be preventive or therapeutic. For prevention, aspirin is taken for life after a person reaches a certain age limit. It is best to take the tablets before bed and wash them down with water, since it is at night that the risk of blood clots increases significantly. In emergency treatment cases, it is recommended to chew the tablet or place it under the tongue.

How much to take - daily dose

The daily prophylactic dose of aspirin is about 100 mg. For medicinal purposes, the dose can be increased to 300 mg. An overdose of the drug can only worsen the clinical picture and lead to an increase in the rate of blood clot formation. This dosage is less than an aspirin tablet. Therefore, doctors can recommend another medication in order to eliminate the risk of overdose, as well as the most suitable one for complex treatment and prevention in a particular case.

Aspirin for blood thinning during pregnancy

In the first and third trimester of pregnancy, taking Aspirin is strictly prohibited for pregnant women. You cannot interfere with natural processes that are provided by nature at the initial stage of fetal development. In the third trimester, the risk of premature birth and bleeding increases. This is why doctors do not prescribe Aspirin to their pregnant patients, either to relieve headaches, or to treat colds, or to thin the blood.

The medicine has a rather complex composition, which can have a negative impact on the health of the unborn child. In addition, the medication has a number of side effects, such as an allergic reaction, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, etc. The presence of many side effects does not allow doctors to recommend Aspirin during pregnancy.

What can replace the drug: analogues

To thin the blood, you should review your diet: fish, fruits, berries, vegetables, as well as a sufficient amount of water. All this is simply necessary for normal blood circulation in the body. The doctor may recommend the following Aspirin analogues to the patient:

• Aspecard;
• Cardiomagnyl;
• Warfarin.

It is worth noting that any synthetic drug has its own disadvantages and side effects.

Video: what is harmful about taking aspirin regularly?

You will learn about the dangers of regularly taking aspirin from this video. The doctor will tell you who should completely abandon this drug, in what cases you can take it, is it possible to use aspirin in children, what is the safe dosage, what are the risks and benefits of Aspirin, is there an alternative to this medication, etc.

Do I really need to take aspirin every day to thin my blood? Thousands of people ask pharmacists this question every day. Many people know virtually nothing on this issue. Today, according to statistics, every 5th person should take aspirin. Isn't this an exaggeration? Who would think of taking aspirin every day? Which drug should you choose from such an abundance? Are there any alternatives?

Passion for aspirin and its analogues

In 1995, a medical journal published an article stating that “regular aspirin prolongs life” (Harvard Health Letter). Evidence from a number of studies was cited and the conclusion was drawn: “Virtually everyone who has had a heart attack or stroke, suffers from angina, or has had coronary artery bypass surgery should take a certain dose of aspirin per day, unless it causes an allergy.”

Many scientists argue that taking aspirin is necessary for women after 45 years of age, and for men after 50 years of age. Some studies have found that taking this drug every day helps prevent cancer, and that long-term use of high-dose aspirin helps lower blood sugar levels and improve the general condition of diabetics.

How does aspirin work and how is this supposed effect achieved? Much is not known, but evidence shows that aspirin reduces platelet aggregation and thereby prevents the formation of blood clots. This helps prevent blockages in the small arteries of the heart and brain and protects vital organs from damage.

So if aspirin is so beneficial, could it be beneficial for everyone to take it? But we need to take into account the fact that much is not yet known about it, because it has not been fully studied. There are not even clear dosages or ideal, correctly selected doses suitable for specific individuals. Different doctors recommend completely different doses of aspirin for the same person. To be honest, doctors don’t even know what dose a man and a woman need to take, whether the doses should be different or not.

Aspirin use and side effects

Aspirin is actually a natural substance that comes from the bark of the white willow tree, but it has many side effects such as:

• allergic reactions (bronchospasm, skin rash);
• stomach pain;
• decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.

With frequent and long-term use of aspirin, in rare cases, gastrointestinal bleeding may develop, which is accompanied by persistent abdominal pain, black (tarry) stools, general weakness, and anemia. There are people with hypersensitivity to aspirin. From this it follows that Not everyone can take aspirin.

People with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke or other risk factors should consult their doctor. The patient should make sure that he has no predisposition to bleeding or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Before you start taking it, you need to find out with your doctor what other problems may arise, how aspirin will interact with other medications that the patient is taking.

If you really need to take aspirin, then you should know a few things about this drug. Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid for everyday use should be in a protective coating so as not to irritate the stomach. It refers to non-narcotic analgesics, that is, drugs that have three types of action at once: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. You should not take hormonal drugs or drugs such as indomethacin at the same time as aspirin.

• Aspirin has an antipyretic effect. Aspirin has an antipyretic effect because it neutralizes the effect of prostaglandins, substances responsible for increasing body temperature.
• Aspirin has an anti-inflammatory effect. The medicine neutralizes the effect of substances that cause inflammation. The first patient to be prescribed aspirin to treat joint inflammation was the famous artist Auguste Renoir. The artist suffered from a very severe form of rheumatoid polyarthritis, so in order to paint, he had to tie his brush to his arm. Thanks to aspirin, Renoir's joints stopped swelling, the pain disappeared, and he was able to work normally.
• Aspirin has an analgesic effect. Aspirin has an analgesic effect because it neutralizes substances that are responsible for causing pain.

Analogues of aspirin are: Acetylsalicylic acid, Aspirin cardio, Cardiopyrin, Thrombo ACC, Cardiomagnyl, etc. They are produced in different countries, by different companies, and differ in price.

What are the alternatives to aspirin? Sweet clover, ginkgo biloba, sweet cherry and sour cherry, sea buckthorn, cranberry, viburnum. Only the effect will arise from regular use. Red wine is a good blood thinner. Be sure to drink more purified water - at least 2 liters per day, but only water, not tea or coffee.

Aspirin is an excellent remedy. But you need to treat it wisely, without harming your body, but only helping. Let's be smart about aspirin so we don't have to pay the price with our own health.

Sincerely,

For a long time, it was believed that to prevent vascular problems and heart disease, you should take aspirin daily, especially for those over 50. New research has called these recommendations into question.

How does acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) work?

Acetylsalicylic acid has a depressing effect on the synthesis of prostalangins - special biologically active substances that are involved in many processes: in the regulation of body temperature, in the functioning of the blood coagulation system, in inflammatory reactions. Therefore, acetylsalicylic acid has a wide spectrum of action. And aspirin has therefore always been used as an antipyretic and analgesic.

Aspirin - as a prevention of cardiovascular diseases

American doctor Lawrence Craven in the 50s of the 20th century noticed that patients with removed tonsils, to whom he recommended chewing gum with acetylsalicylic acid in order to reduce pain, develop. The following conclusion was drawn: acetylsalicylic acid has a side effect - blood thinning, and this phenomenon can be very useful for the prevention of strokes and heart attacks. By the end of the 20th century, scientists made another conclusion: with daily use of aspirin, the likelihood of developing a heart attack and stroke is reduced by at least half. And therefore, aspirin began to be recommended for use in an amount of 50-100 mg daily to everyone who has crossed the 35th birthday. And the British doctor G. Morgan generally recommended using aspirin as a vitamin.

Is it so?

It was the Americans who actively participated in the promotion of aspirin prevention. But they also conducted the first serious studies and questioned the conclusions of Craven and Morgan. Modern scientists have established the following.

• Gender matters. In men, acetylsalicylic acid has the effect of preventing heart attack, while in women it was more effective in preventing stroke.
• Age is the main factor. Women under 55 years old, and men under 45 years old, who do not have a history of cardiovascular diseases, do not need to take aspirin at all - prevention will not work. Moreover, in combination with some other drugs, aspirin becomes a risk factor.
• Keep it in moderation. American scientists believe that the dose of acetylsalicylic acid should not be high - 75-80 mg daily is enough, and this will be a more effective dose than 100 mg.

Why, who and when to take aspirin?

As we see, in the world of medical science there is a trend: acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin, from a prophylactic miracle drug is becoming a common drug with great limitations. However, aspirin still needs to be taken and in these cases.

• Acetylsalicylic acid should be taken by people who have a hereditary predisposition to colon cancer.
• Women with varying degrees of mastopathy and people with stomach diseases. Taking aspirin daily reduces the risk of developing malignant tumors in the mammary glands by 20% and the risk of developing stomach cancer by 40%.
• Women 55-80 years old for the purpose of preventing stroke. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and the development of cerebrovascular accidents.
• Men 45-80 years old as a prophylactic against myocardial infarction - in cases where the risk of developing a heart attack exceeds or is at least equal to the risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding (which is a side effect of acetylsalicylic acid).

Aspirin is a generally recognized and affordable medicine that is freely sold in any pharmacy and is available at home in almost everyone. They mainly drink it for fever, headaches, and hangovers. Experienced heart patients are well aware of the ability of this drug to “thin the blood.” However, how justified is its use for such a purpose?

Description of the drug

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is a non-narcotic analgesic with an antipyretic effect. This medicine is available in tablet form (50, 100, 350 or 500 mg).

Aspirin can be in the form of effervescent tablets or in a special enteric coating.

The main active ingredient of Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. In addition, the drug contains the following excipients:

• cellulose powder;
• starch.

Aspirin acts on the body as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiaggregation (prevents the formation of blood clots) agent.

Most often the drug is prescribed for the following conditions:

• increased temperature in infectious and inflammatory diseases;
• rheumatic diseases;
• prevention of thrombosis.

Using Aspirin to thin the blood

Low dosage aspirin is often prescribed “to thin the blood.” However, it is worth distinguishing between the concepts of “thick blood,” that is, increased blood viscosity, and “propensity to form blood clots.”

If the relationship between the number of formed elements and the volume of plasma in the blood is disrupted, then we can talk about blood thickening. This condition is not an independent disease, but is a syndrome that occurs due to various circumstances.

Slowing blood flow due to increased blood viscosity creates the risk of microclots forming in the bloodstream, which is dangerous due to embolism (blockage) of blood vessels. The antiplatelet properties of Aspirin are not expressed in the literal sense of blood thinning. The drug does not affect its physical viscosity, but prevents the formation of blood clots.

Acetylsalicylic acid affects the properties of platelets to stick together (aggregation) and stick to damaged surfaces (adhesion). By blocking these processes, Aspirin prevents the formation of thrombi (blood clots) in the vessels.

Indications for use

As an antiaggregation (antithrombotic) drug, Aspirin is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of:

• postoperative thrombosis;
• thrombosis of cerebral vessels;
• repeated myocardial infarctions;
• atherosclerosis;
• coronary heart disease.

It is used as an emergency treatment for thromboembolism (blockage with a blood clot) of the pulmonary artery and acute myocardial infarction.

The same amount of Aspirin is used for both prevention and treatment. Increasing the dosage does not affect the effectiveness of the drug, but increases the risk of complications.

About thick blood, blood clots and acetylsalicylic acid - video

What doctors say about aspirin

Doctors' opinions about Aspirin are divided.

1. Many experts recognize it as one of the most effective means in preventing heart attack and stroke. Most often, the drug is prescribed not in the form of pure acetylsalicylic acid, but in other forms. Aspirin is indicated for patients over 50 years of age suffering from coronary heart disease. It is recommended to take the medicine daily in long courses.
2. Another part of the doctors is quite critical of acetylsalicylic acid. They are confident that the prescription of Aspirin is justified only for patients who have suffered a heart attack or ischemic stroke. They justify their position as follows:
   • with long-term use of the drug there is a high risk of bleeding, development of peptic ulcers and even stomach cancer;
     

     Five years ago, Oxford scientists found that acetylsalicylic acid actually reduces the risk of heart attack by 20%, but the likelihood of internal bleeding increases by 30%.

   • some forms of Aspirin do not have an enteric coating, which serves to protect the gastric mucosa from the harmful effects of acid;
   • When chewing tablets, tooth enamel is destroyed, etc.

Aspirin and its side effects - video

Contraindications

Absolute contraindications include:

1. Hypersensitivity to other salicylates.
2. Tendency to various bleedings.
3. Age up to 12 years.

Relative contraindications:

• bronchial asthma;
• chronic diseases of the stomach and small intestine in the acute stage (stomach ulcer, erosive gastritis, duodenal ulcer);
• hemophilia;
• aortic aneurysm;
• preparation for surgery;
• liver failure;
• renal failure;
• pregnancy, especially in the 1st and 3rd trimesters;
• lactation period, as the drug passes into breast milk. If a nursing mother is still forced to take Aspirin for medical reasons, then she will have to give up breastfeeding her baby.

Sometimes doctors prescribe Aspirin cardio to women in the second trimester of pregnancy to prevent heart disease and blood clots. In this situation, the specialist must weigh the benefits of the drug for the expectant mother and the harm from it to the child, since this drug has a teratogenic effect on the fetus, that is, it can cause deformities.

The medicine is prescribed with caution in the following cases:

• simultaneous use of anticoagulants (drugs against increased clotting);
• gout (accumulation of uric acid in the body), since Aspirin helps to delay the excretion of this acid and can provoke an attack of the disease;
• stomach diseases in remission;
• anemia;
• hypovitaminosis K;
• thyrotoxicosis (thyroid disease);
• thrombocytopenia (reduced number of platelets in the blood).

Possible side effects

1. Allergic reactions: skin rash, bronchospasm, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock.
   

   Aspirin can cause an allergic reaction such as bronchial asthma. The symptom complex is called the “aspirin triad” and manifests itself as bronchospasm, nasal polyps and salicylate intolerance.

2. From the gastrointestinal system: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting. With long-term use, erosion, gastric or duodenal ulcers, as well as gastric or intestinal bleeding may develop.
3. Disorders of the liver and kidneys: nephrotic syndrome, nephritis, edema, renal failure.
4. From the blood: hemorrhagic syndrome (clotting disorder), platelet levels may decrease.
5. From the nervous system: weakness, tinnitus, dizziness (this happens with an overdose).

If such symptoms appear, you should immediately stop taking the medication and consult a doctor.

Interaction with other substances

1. Aspirin is absolutely incompatible with any type of alcohol. Taking these two substances at the same time may cause acute gastric bleeding.
2. The drug is not prescribed together with anticoagulants (for example, Heparin), as they reduce blood clotting.
3. Aspirin enhances the effect of certain drugs: antitumor drugs, sugar-lowering drugs, corticosteroids, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic analgesics.
4. Acetylsalicylic acid reduces the effectiveness of diuretics and blood pressure medications.

Instructions for use

It is necessary to take the medicine in strict accordance with the doctor's prescription. You should not self-medicate or adjust the dosage or duration of therapy.

1. You should take the medicine after meals with plenty of water.
   

   It is good to drink Aspirin with milk or jelly, this way you can significantly reduce the irritating effect of acid on the gastric mucosa.

2. Aspirin, coated with a special coating to protect the stomach, should not be broken, crushed, or chewed. This tablet should be swallowed whole.
3. Chewable Aspirin tablets are designed specifically to be chewed rather than swallowed.
4. Lozenges should be dissolved in the mouth and not swallowed whole.
5. The drug must be stored in a cool and dry place.

As an antithrombotic agent, Aspirin is prescribed in low doses, since long-term use of the drug in large quantities can cause a decrease in the normal function of blood clotting and cause bleeding. Higher doses are indicated when it is necessary to relieve inflammation or reduce fever. In this case, the medicine is taken in short courses.

In addition, you need to periodically undergo laboratory examinations: donate blood and feces for occult blood. This is necessary in order to identify possible complications in time.

How to take cardiac aspirin correctly - video

What can replace Aspirin?

Aspirin is not the only drug used as an antithrombotic agent. The pharmaceutical market offers a wide selection of analogues.

Drug analogues - table

The Daily Telegraph reports. It seems that scientists have finally decided to get to the bottom of the truth and, if there are questions about its 100% effectiveness against heart disease, why not talk about cancer in connection? A new study conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford showed that this medicine, if taken daily for 3-5 years, can reduce the risk of developing it by up to 30%. At the same time, the drug not only stops the progression of the disease, but also the spread of metastases. In particular, taking 75 mg of aspirin per day for five years or more reduces the risk of developing bowel cancer by a quarter, and mortality from this disease by a third.

We also know that aspirin thins the blood by affecting platelets, which is why, again, it is prescribed to people with cardiovascular disease and is also prescribed to prevent high blood pressure and diabetes. In addition, aspirin is widely used to maintain blood clotting processes and prevent recurrent cases. It is prescribed for migraines, patients with cataracts and preeclampsia in pregnant women. So should older people (for whom the drug is not contraindicated) - the main risk group exposed to serious diseases - primarily heart disease and cancer - take it every morning, like a pill for all diseases?

Professor Peter Rothwell, who leads a team of scientists from Oxford, says yes. And Professor Gordon McVie of the European Institute in Milan confirms: “There is no doubt that aspirin is cheap and effective.” Peter Elwood, professor of epidemiology at the University of Wales, agrees and is even more confident in the miraculous properties of this drug: “By taking aspirin every day, you increase your chances of living a long and productive life by preventing serious illness.”

One of the UK's leading cancer experts, Professor Karol Sikora, says that the preventative part of the theory about the miraculous effect of aspirin has certainly been proven, but he himself is in no hurry to take this medicine. Why, he himself doesn’t know; he doesn’t have a clear answer. And he, so indecisive, is not the only one among British doctors. One day, Sikora, attending a thematic conference in the United States dedicated to cancer, asked his colleagues: “Do you take aspirin as a preventive measure for serious diseases?” - 60% answered “yes”. And at a conference in Britain, only 5% of doctors answered a similar question in the affirmative. Cause? Karol Sikora believes that Americans are by default more concerned about their health than Europeans.

Side effects associated with regular consumption of aspirin are a major risk factor for those who have prescribed it for themselves as a panacea. The most important problem that has been talked about lately is disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, which can manifest itself in the form of pain, and in the most severe cases, aspirin can cause. “No one can guarantee that you won't experience this if you take this drug,” says Professor Sikora. “If you don't have a history of ulcers or gastritis, you probably won't experience any side effects. But if you experience stomach discomfort within a week or two of starting aspirin, talk to your doctor."

In addition to peptic ulcers, other contraindications include hemophilia or bleeding disorders, aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and diclofenac. People with asthma, liver disease, kidney disease, digestive problems, and pregnant and lactating women should also take aspirin with caution.

But if you nevertheless decide to start taking this medicine as a preventive measure, then a logical question arises - when, at what age? Doctors believe that this is definitely worth doing for older people. For example, Dr Sovra Wheatcroft, a consultant gynecologist in Guildford, recommends taking aspirin for women of menopausal age and older; they can take a low daily dose of no more than 75 mg each day. In this way, Wheatcroft explains, the risk of cardiovascular disease, including possibly dementia, can be reduced, since aspirin, by thinning the blood, reduces the likelihood of microscopic blood clots in the blood vessels. It is also known that estrogen levels gradually decrease in women as they age, which can provoke a risk of developing cancer, so taking this drug can be effective. Should middle-aged people take aspirin? This question is still open, if only because cancer has no age restrictions.