Aspirin

Interactions with aspirin

Anticoagulants, glucocorticoids, and alcohol increase the risk of bleeding. Ibuprofen decreases the antiplatelet effects of low-dose aspirin. ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers increase the risk of kidney failure. The risk of lithium carbonate (Lithobid) and methotrexate toxicity increases

Side effects of aspirin

Gastric upset, heartburn, nausea, gastric ulceration. Bleeding,Kidney dysfunction, Salicylism, Reye's syndrome,

Therapeutic uses of aspirin

Inflammation suppression Analgesia for mild to moderate pain Fever reduction Dysmenorrhea Inhibition of platelet aggregation

Administration of aspirin

Make sure patients swallow enteric-coated or sustained-release forms whole and do not crush or chew them. Discontinue 1 week before scheduled surgery. Monitor for initial and continued therapeutic effects.

Interventions for gastric upset, heartburn, nausea, gastric ulceration while taking aspirin

Monitor for signs of GI bleeding(black or dark-colored stools, abdominal pain, nausea, hematemesis). Test for and treat Helicobacter pylori infection prior to long-term therapy. For high-risk patients recommend proton pump inhibitor

Interventions for bleeding while taking aspirin

Monitor for signs of bleeding(easy bruising, petechiae, excessive bleeding from minor injuries)

Interventions for Salicylism while taking aspirin

Monitor for tinnitus, diaphoresis, headache, dizziness, and respiratory alkalosis. Stop aspirin therapy for patients reporting these symptoms.

Interventions for kidney dysfunction while taking aspirin

Monitor intake and output, watch for low urine output and fluid retention. Monitor for rapid rises in BUN and creatinine.

Precautions for aspirin

Older adults, Cigarette smoking, Alcohol use disorder, Helicobacter pylori infection, Heart failure, Hypersensitivity, Hypovolemia, Asthma, Chronic urticaria, Advanced kidney dysfunction

Contraindications for aspirin

Pregnancy category D, Hypersensitivity, Peptic ulcer disease, Bleeding disorders(hemophilia, vitamin K deficiency), Children and adolescents w/ chickenpox and influenza, Within 1 week of any elective surgery

Interventions for Reye's syndrome while taking aspirin

Recommend acetaminophen(Tylenol) and not aspirin or NSAIDs for children and adolescents under 19 who have viral infections, particularly chickenpox and influenza

Patient instructions for aspirin

Take with food, milk, or 8 oz of water, Avoid alcohol, Report persistent gastric irritation of signs of bleeding, unusual or prolonged bleeding, changes in urine output, weight gain, or signs of fluid retention, ringing or buzzing in ears, sweating, headache, and dizziness. Stop taking if these symptoms occur. Do not giving to children under 19