Trade names:

Aspro - Disprin - Astrix - Solprin

Chemical name:

Acetylsalicylic Acid

Therapeutic class:

NSAID/Antipyretic

Pharmacological class:

Salicylates

Indications:

Inflammatory disorders including osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
Mild - moderate pain
Fever
Prophylaxis of transient ischaemic attacks & MI

Actions:

Produces analgesia and reduces inflammation and fever by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins
Decreases platelet aggregation

Therapeutic effects:

Analgesia
Reduction of inflammation
Reduction of fever
Reduced incidence of transient ischaemic attacks & MI

Pharmacokinetics:

ABSORPTION: Well absorbed from the upper small intestine. Absorption from enteric-coated SR preps may be unreliable. Rectal absorption is slow and variable.

DISTRIBUTION: Rapidly and widely distributed; crosses the placenta & enters breast milk

METABOLISM + EXCRETION: Extensively metabolised by the liver, inactive metabolites excreted by the kidneys.

Half-life: 2 -3 hrs for low doses, 15 - 30 for high doses because of liver metabolism saturation

Contraindications/precautions:

Hypersensitivity to aspirin or other salicylates
Bleeding disorders or thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
History of GI bleeding or ulcer disease
Asthma

Adverse reactions/ side effects:

EENT: tinnitus GI: bleeding, dyspepsia, epigastric distress, N + V, abdo pain HEP: toxicity HAEM: anemia, hemolysis, SKIN: rash, urticaria

Interactions:

May ^ the risk of bleeding with warfarin, heparins, heparin-like agents, thrombolytic agents

Assessment:

Pain assessment
Fever
Lab tests: monitor hepatic function if symptoms of hepatotoxicity occur or during long term use

Patient/family education:

Advise patient to report: tinnitus, bleeding of gums, easy bruising, black tarry stools, or fever > 3 days

	Created by Em J almost 6 years ago

Nursing SFE Nursing Note on HPA medications, created by Em J on 03/06/2018.