Aspirin is a generic drug sometimes referred to as
acetylsalicylic acid
(ASA). It is an NSAID that treats inflammation and prevents the formation of blood clots.
Is aspirin an ASA?
Also known as Aspirin,
acetylsalicylic acid
(ASA) is a commonly used drug for the treatment of pain and fever due to various causes. Acetylsalicylic acid has both anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects.
Is ASA short for aspirin?
ASA (drug caution code): Abbreviation on a medication that indicates it contains
acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin). This special caution code is intended to be a warning for patients with specific medical conditions.
What is ASA prescribed for?
It is used to treat
mild pain and fever
. This medicine is also used as directed by a doctor to prevent and to treat heart attacks, to prevent strokes and blood clots, and to treat arthritis or inflammation.
Are ASA and ibuprofen the same?
Aspirin and ibuprofen contain different active ingredients — whereas aspirin is made with salicylic acid, ibuprofen is made with propionic acid. However, both aspirin and ibuprofen can be
used
to treat pain caused by inflammation or injury, headaches, fevers, arthritis, and menstrual cramps.
Why is aspirin banned?
Aspirin is to be banned for children
under 16 to minimise the risk of young people contracting a rare disease
that can cause seizures, coma and death.
Does aspirin thin your blood?
Now studies show that because
aspirin thins the blood
, it can also help to lower the chances of a heart attack or a stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain.
What should be avoided when taking aspirin?
Avoid alcohol. Heavy drinking can increase your risk of stomach bleeding. If you are taking aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke, avoid also taking
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
. Ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels.
Why should you not lie down after taking aspirin?
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine, to make sure the
pills have gone through the esophagus into the stomach
. Notify your healthcare provider if you experience painful swallowing or feel that the medicine is sticking in your throat.
What organs does aspirin affect?
Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding in
the stomach, small intestine, and brain
. Normally, there is a layer that protects the insides of the stomach and intestine from the acid in your stomach. If aspirin is taken at high doses and for a long time, it can slowly damage this layer. This damage can lead to bleeding.
Is aspirin the safest pain reliever?
Aspirin is safer than acetaminophen
, he said, though to be used as a pain reliever it requires much higher doses — which can have side effects like stomach upset. Aspirin also interferes with blood coagulation for days after taking it.
Which is safer aspirin or ibuprofen?
Aspirin use does not appear to be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, nor does low-dose
ibuprofen
(up to 1200mg/day). However, high-dose ibuprofen (1200mg to 2400mg/day) is associated with a higher risk.
Does ibuprofen thin the blood like aspirin?
While not as strong as some medicines (for example, aspirin), ibuprofen still slows down blood clotting time. This means that if you cut yourself, or have an injury, it may take longer to stop bleeding.
Is aspirin good for high blood pressure?
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a risk factor for heart disease—and for years,
a low dose of daily aspirin has been considered a safe and healthy way to prevent
heart disease. It’s reasonable, therefore, to associate aspirin with lowering blood pressure, as a key way of preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Can taking an aspirin a day hurt you?
In addition to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, daily aspirin therapy
can increase the risk of a bleeding stroke
. It can also cause a severe allergic reaction in some people. This is especially worrisome for people who are 70 and older, health experts say.
When should you not take aspirin?
Previous guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force warned against taking aspirin for the primary prevention of heart disease unless you’re at
an elevated risk
— typically if you’re 50 to 69 years old with a 10 percent or greater chance of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years.
