Side effects associated with aspirin

In the application of aspirin may cause the following side effects:

• from the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, heartburn, appetite disorders, pain in the stomach; decreased liver function;
• the central nervous system: dizziness Dizziness - if the ground is slipping from under his feet   and tinnitus, hearing loss (usually a sign of overdose);
• from the blood: increased risk of bleeding;
• Skin and other allergic reactions Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat .

With prolonged use of aspirin may be a violation of the chair, stomach bleeding (may be affected by the gastric mucosa and duodenal ulcers). If you want long-term aspirin therapy, it is recommended to regularly examine the blood and stool for occult blood.

With an overdose of all side effects are amplified, this condition requires immediate admission of the patient to the hospital.

Aspirin and caffeine

According to one study, concomitant use of aspirin and caffeine for 25% increases the total content, and 17% - the maximum concentration of salicylate in plasma. Furthermore, it is noted that the concentration of salicylate in plasma when receiving a combination of materials changes more slowly than usual. The exact mechanism of this interaction is not clear, however, physicians and patients should be considered that especially the combination of aspirin and caffeine.

Aspirin and alcohol

Concomitant use of aspirin and alcohol (ethanol) can lead to gastrointestinal blood loss. This effect may be associated with a local impact that the active ingredients, as well as to the inhibition of prostaglandins, which reduces the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract. In many cases, however, the combination of aspirin and alcohol only causes nausea and / or vomiting.

Aspirin can increase the risk of prostate cancer

The use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), according to scientists may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Such conclusions were made on the basis of a survey 931 men, who are appointed by prostate biopsy. Among patients treated with aspirin and other NSAIDs cases of prostate cancer detected by biopsy, it was significantly higher than those who did not take these drugs (65% and 42%, respectively). After further studies it was discovered that aspirin and other NSAIDs can be 2-3 fold increased chance of developing prostate cancer. Receiving only aspirin increases the risk by 64%.

These discoveries are radically different from the results of most epidemiological studies. The scientists, however, say that aspirin may still have a chemopreventive effect because patients on aspirin, which had such an effect is usually not directed to a biopsy.

Other studies have shown that aspirin by 31% increases the risk of prostate cancer Prostate Cancer - enough to remove the tumor?   as a whole, by 63% - the risk of prostate cancer to advanced stages. Some researchers, however, have concluded that taking at least one tablet per day significantly reduces the likelihood of developing prostate cancer Prostate cancer - the sad consequences of carelessness . There is no consensus on the issue is still there.

When taking certain drugs can not drink alcohol. For example, aspirin can not be combined with alcohol - enhanced effect of both substances, but especially aspirin, whose active substance is acetylsalicylic acid.

The action on the gastrointestinal tract

The mechanism of action of aspirin as an anti-inflammatory drug is based on inhibition of the action of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins - the basic substances that support the inflammatory process.

But prostaglandins also perform an important function in the protection of the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of a variety of mechanical and chemical damage. Therefore, a side effect of aspirin is the destruction of the gastrointestinal mucosa under the influence of different factors - roughage, chemicals and so forth. One of these factors is itself an aspirin - its active substance acetylsalicylic acid is an irritant.

Alcohol also contributes to the gastrointestinal mucosa irritant effect. But, moreover, it greatly enhances the side effect of aspirin on COX inhibition action. At the same time taking aspirin and alcohol damage the gastric mucosa is magnified. The consequence of the frequent use of aspirin with alcohol can be erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, perforation of the stomach wall and internal bleeding.

Strong internal bleeding when damaged large blood vessels appear as weakness, drop in blood pressure Blood pressure - dangerous if his swing? , Loss of consciousness. But equally dangerous may be small, but long-term chronic blood loss associated with the violation of the integrity of the stomach wall. Regular blood loss can lead to severe iron deficiency anemia Iron deficiency anemia: how dangerous it is?   difficult to treat.

But not only the regular use of aspirin with alcohol can lead to such consequences. In chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, even a single dose of aspirin while alcohol can be fatal.

Effects on blood clotting

Aspirin reduces the rolling capacity of the blood due to the fact that reduces the ability of platelets Platelets - what they are for the body?   stick to the walls of blood vessels, and form clusters, which then become the basis of blood clots. The mechanism of this action is associated with the suppression of the formation of a biologically active substance that activates platelet function - thromboxane A2.

This action may include aspirin, both positive and negative properties. The positive effect of aspirin has a tendency of the body to increased thrombosis (eg, atherosclerosis). If clotting is reduced and so, aspirin may contribute to bleeding, especially in combination with its properties such as the ability to form the walls of ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Alcohol enhances the ability of aspirin to lower the blood clotting ability, therefore co-administration may cause gastric bleeding and even perforation of the stomach wall.

Effect on liver

As with any NSAIDs, aspirin has a negative effect on the liver, so in the human body that aspirin is recommended to be used with caution.

Alcohol is specific hepatotoxic poison, i.e. it suppresses the function, and in large doses, and destroys the cells of the liver. Application at the same time the two substances with hepatotoxic, can lead to unpredictable consequences. Some patients will suffer a strain on the liver without any consequences, in others the consequences can be as severe liver damage (for example, its tissue necrosis) - it all depends on the individual, and heredity.

Aspirin hangover

Condition hangover occurs only in patients with chronic alcoholism. This condition develops in isolation from alcohol, which has taken a definite place in the metabolism Metabolism: The basis of life of all living things   patient. The hangover sharply narrowed blood vessels, blood thickens, since alcohol promotes fluid loss, increased susceptibility to thrombosis.

In this state, aspirin will help the patient: relieve pain and prevent the formation of blood clots. That is why helping drugs such as Alka-Seltzer pharmaceutical company Bayer (Germany), the active substance of which is aspirin.

Galina Romanenko