Aspirin

Question 1

What is aspirin

Answer 1

Anti-thrombotic (anti-blood clotting) it stops the blood from sticking to each other, it is not a blood thinner, as red blood cells and plaque accumulates in the arteries of the heart it makes it harder for blood to pass through, aspirin causes those blood clots to loosen up by taking away the bloods ‘sticking’ ability

Antiplatelet drug which reduces clotting

Question 2

What it looks like

Answer 2

usually goes in blister packs, they are 300mg per tablet they can either be dispersible (breaks down in water) or enteric coated (smooth or slightly matte coating to protect the lining of the stomach) both tablets are 300mg

Question 3

How do you take aspirin

Answer 3

As it usually comes in tablet form and in two different forms of tablets it can ether be dispersed in water (dispersible form) or chewed (enteric coated form) but in both causes it is to be taken orally (PO) by the patient

Question 4

When would you give aspirin

Answer 4

Most commonly for cardiac chest pain (not just chest pain) or for a suspected myocardial infarction

It is also administer for the management of unstable angina and non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Question 5

When would you not give aspirin

Answer 5

The acronym used for aspirin is ABBA
A- age (Not to be given to anyone under the age of 16 years old due to a risk of reye’s syndrome)
B- bleeding disorders ( as aspirin is anti-clotting, if there are any bleeding disorders it will increase the rate of bleeding (haemorrhaging)
B- (active) gastrointestinal ulcers (as aspirin is metabolised through the gastrointestinal system, it causes irritation to the stomach and any active ulcers within this system may cause serious discomfort, pain or bleeding in the patient)
A- Allergies ( if the patient has an allergy to aspirin)

KSAR ( known severe adverse reactions)

Question 6

dosages

Answer 6

aspirin tables come as required in a 300mg form

the dosage for an adult is one 300mg tablet by route of administration PO (orally) depending on the tablet form

the dosage for a paediatric is contra-indicating, as being under the age of 16 years old is a contra-indication

Question 7

Side effects of aspirin

Answer 7

Increased bleeding times (due to it being anti-clotting)

Epigastric pain ad discomfort (as aspirin is metabolised in the gastrointestinal system it can cause irritation and discomfort)

Bronchospasm (due to inhibition of COX-1, leads to an increase in leukotrienes, these cause inflammation and tightening of the airways, this is particularly present in patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma or asthma)

Gastrointestinal haemorrhage (due to it being anti-clotting and metabolised in the GI system)

Skin reactions in hypersensitive patients (allergies or other underlying conditions)

Question 8

Special situations when we can give aspirin

Answer 8

If the patient is prescribed heir own 75mg dose of aspirin to take daily, the usual 300mg dose may be administered anyways