ASPIRIN

Question 1

1. What is Aspirin also known as?

Answer 1

• Acetylsalicylic Acid
• (ASA)

Question 1

2. What kind of medication is aspirin?

Answer 1

• an over the counter drug

Question 2

3. Which class of drugs does Aspirin belong to?

Answer 2

• NSAIDS
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Question 3

4. When do people decide to take Aspirin?

Answer 3

• when the patient is experiencing a fever
• when they have inflammation

Question 4

5. What risks does Aspirin lower?

Answer 4

• the risk of having a heart attack
• the risk of having a stroke

Question 5

6. What is the Plasma Half Life for Aspirin?

Answer 5

• 15 minutes
• it is a dosage dependent drug

Question 6

7. What is the daily dosage of Aspirin?

Answer 6

• the dosage ranges from 50mg to 6000mg daily
• it is dependent on the use
• it needs to be taken with food
• as it is a carboxylic acid

FOR MILD TO MODERATE PAIN:
- the usual dosage is 350-650 mg every 4 hours
- it can also be taken as 500 mg every 6 hours

Question 7

8. What is the half-life of a 300-650 mg dose of Aspirin?

Answer 7

• 3 hours

Question 8

9. What is the mode of action of NSAIDS
   (such as Aspirin)?

Answer 8

• they block the enzyme that makes prostaglandins
  EG: cyclooxygenase (COX)

PROSTAGLANDINS = hormone-like substances
= they affect several bodily
functions
(EG: inflammation, pain and uterine
contractions)

Question 9

10. What effects do NSAIDS (such as Aspirin) have on Prostaglandins?

Answer 9

• they lower the concentration of prostaglandins
• they reduce inflammation
• they lower pain and fever
• they inhibit prostaglandins
• this reduces the function of platelets
• reduces the ability of the blood to clot

Question 10

11. What are the side effects of Aspirin?

Answer 10

1. Gastrointestinal
   - they can cause stomach irritation and stomach ulcers
   - as well as stomach bleeding
   - nausea
   - heart burn
   - vomiting
   - bloody vomiting
   - vomit that resembles coffee grounds
2. Swelling of the:
   
   • eyes
   • face
   • lips
   • tongue
   • throat
3. Ringing in the ears
   
   • loss of hearing
4. Bright red blood in the stool
   - black or tarry stool
5. Hives
   
   • rashes
6. Cold and clammy skin
7. Fast Heartbeat
8. Wheezing
   - difficulty breathing
   - hoarseness
   - fast breathing

Question 11

12. Answer this question.

Answer 11

Question 12

13. Answer this question.

Answer 12

Question 13

14. Answer this question.

Answer 13

• False