Aspirin

0.2% (2 out of 1000 people)...not too high of an incidence...but reactions can be serious and life threatening

Approximately ____% of the population is allergic to aspirin

THROMBOXANE A2

Aspirin irreversibly inhibits formation of prostaglandin derivative, _______________, via acetylation of platelet cyclooxygenase, thus inhibiting platelet aggregation.

COUMADIN-TYPE ANTICOAGULANTS

Aspirin should not be given to patients taking ______________ because internal GI tract bleeding could occur.

INTERNAL GI TRACT BLEEDING

Aspirin should not be given to patients taking coumadin-type anticoagulants because _____________ could occur.

REYE'S SYNDROME (changes in behavior, nausea and vomiting may be early signs of this)

Children with flu-like symptoms or chicken pox should avoid taking aspirin because it can cause ____________________.

At usual therapeutic doses, aspirin interferes with the blood clotting mechanism by irreversibly reducing platelet adhesiveness (stickiness or aggregation). Bleeding time is prolonged and remains prolonged until new platelets are formed. Aspirin should not be given to patients taking coumadin-type anticoagulants because internal GI tract bleeding could occur.

Describe the effect of aspirin on blood clotting.

It is serious (can be life threatening) and results in asthmatic syndrome, shortness of breath, wheezing and bronchiolar constriction.

Describe the hypersensitivity reaction that occurs in people allergic to aspirin.

Irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and 2) enzymes, via acetylation, which results in decreased formation of prostaglandin precursors; irreversibly inhibits formation of prostaglandin derivative, thromboxane A2, via acetylation of platelet cyclooxygenase, thus inhibiting platelet aggregation; has antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties

Describe the mechanism of action for aspirin.

THROMBOSIS

The cardiovascular disease treated with aspirin is known as _________________.

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR NAUSEA VOMITING

What are 3 early signs of Reye's syndrome that can appear in children taking aspirin with flu-like symptoms or chicken pox?

1. ANALGESIC EFFECT (reduces oral pain) 2. ANTIPYRETIC EFFECT (fever reducer) 3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT (patients with arthritis are often given large doses of aspirin to provide symptomatic relief of pain and inflammation in joints) 4. ANTIPLATELET EFFECT (results in a reduction in blood clotting (thrombi) so good for cardiovascular problems) **(FOUR A's)**

What are the 4 pharmacologic effects of Aspirin?

Cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1 and 2) enzymes

What enzyme is inhibited by aspirin to prevent platelet aggregation?

GI TRACT ULCERS (and also can cause GI bleeding....if it is being taken for long periods of time)

What is the most common adverse effect caused by aspirin?

CHILDREN WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS OR CHICKEN POX

What population of patients should avoid taking aspirin to prevent Reye's Syndrome?

PROSTAGLANDINS (when prostaglandin synthesis is inhibited during the conditions of pain, fever and inflammation, there occurs a reduction in these symptoms)

______________ are chemical mediators of pain, fever and inflammation.