Aspirin

Aspirin

[100mg enteric coated 2 cents per tablet]

ADMINISTRATION ROUTES:

• PO, NG

ALTERNATIVE NAMES:

• Aspec, Aspro, Cartia, Cardiprin, Disprin, Solprin

ICU INDICATIONS:

1. antiplatelet therapy for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease

PRESENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION:

• PO:
  ICU carries Disprin 300mg tablets (non-enteric coated) and Aspirin Ethics 100mg (enteric coated). Store at room temperature.

DOSAGE:

• PO:
  For intubated patients use 1⁄2 a 300mg Disprin tablet daily crushed and administered via NG; for non-intubated patients use Aspirin Ethics 100mg (enteric coated) daily.

DOSAGE IN RENAL FAILURE AND RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY:

• Dose as in normal renal function

DOSAGE IN PAEDIATRICS:

• PO:
  Analgesia / antipyrexia:
  10-15mg/kg 4-6 hrly;
  Kawasaki:
  10mg/kg 6hrly (low dose) OR 25mg/kg 6hrly (high dose) for 2 weeks then 3-5mg/kg daily

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:

• Aspirin is a salicylate that has demonstrated antiplatelet, antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

1. Hypersensitivity to aspirin.
2. Gastrointestinal bleeding.

WARNINGS

• Subclinical GI blood loss is common; frank GI bleeding may occur

PRECAUTIONS

• General:
  Aspirin tablets should be administered with caution to patients with asthma, nasal polyps, or nasal allergies.
• Laboratory Tests:
  No tests in addition to routine ICU tests are indicated.
• Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions:
  Salicylates can produce changes in thyroid function tests.

IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS FOR THE ICU

• Oral hypoglycaemics:
  Large doses of salicylates have a hypoglycemic action and may enhance the effect of the oral hypoglycemics.
• Phenytoin:
  Serum phenytoin levels may be increased by aspirin. Anticoagulants: Combination with other anticoagulants increases the risk of bleeding

ADVERSE REACTIONS

• Body as a Whole:
  Headache and fever, anaphylaxis.
• Digestive System:
  Dyspepsia, thirst, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, acute reversible hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal bleeding, and/or ulceration.
• Nervous System:
  Mental confusion, drowsiness, and dizziness
• Skin:
  Urticaria, angioedema, and pruritus.
• Haematological System:
  Prolongation of bleeding time, leukopaenia, thrombocytopaenia, purpura, decreased plasma iron concentration and shortened erythrocyte survival time.
• Special Senses:
  Tinnitus, vertigo, reversible hearing loss, and dimness of vision.