Home Drug Guide Aspirin

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Aspirin

Brand Names Percodan, Oxycodone And Aspirin

Classification

Therapeutic: Analgesic, Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory

Pharmacological: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Pain relief (mild to moderate pain)
  • Fever reduction
  • Anti-inflammatory purposes

Mechanism of Action

Aspirin irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), leading to decreased formation of prostaglandins and thromboxanes, thus exerting analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Dosage varies based on indication; for pain, typically 325-650 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Always follow specific prescribing information.

Pediatric: Not generally recommended for children under 16 due to risk of Reye's syndrome.

Geriatric: Dose adjustments may be necessary due to increased susceptibility to side effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustments may be necessary.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor liver function.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the placenta and enters breast milk.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver to salicylic acid.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 15-20 minutes for aspirin; duration of action varies.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to aspirin or NSAIDs
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Children or teenagers with viral infections (risk of Reye's syndrome)

Precautions

  • Gastric ulcers or bleeding history
  • Asthma or hypersensitivity to NSAIDs.
  • Use with caution in renal or hepatic impairment.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Gastrointestinal upset, bleeding (Common)
  • Allergic reactions including rash, bronchospasm (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration (Serious)
  • Reye's syndrome in children (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) – increased bleeding risk
  • Other NSAIDs – increased gastrointestinal side effects

Drug-Food Interactions

  • Alcohol – increased gastrointestinal bleeding risk

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of bleeding, allergy, and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for bleeding
  • Acute pain related to inflammatory process

Implementation: Administer with food or milk to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Monitor bleeding parameters.

Evaluation: Assess pain relief, reduction in inflammation, and adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
  • Report signs of bleeding, allergic reactions, or unusual symptoms.
  • Avoid alcohol while taking aspirin.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Serious, sometimes fatal, gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Reye's syndrome risk in children and teenagers with viral infections.

Genetic Factors: Genetic variations can affect metabolism and response.

Lab Test Interference: May affect bleeding time, platelet function tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Tinnitus, deafness, hyperventilation, metabolic acidosis, coma.

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal, alkalinization of urine, and monitoring in a hospital setting.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.