Aspirin, What Are Its Benefits and What Are Its Side Effects?
Aspirin is one of the oldest drugs in the world. This drug was first recorded as being used by the Sumerians and Egyptians in everyday medicine, especially to treat pain. In ancient times, the aspirin medicine was made from the willow leaf plant. Hippocrates also developed aspirin through this plant extract. Then, many studies were developed to find out the various properties of aspirin and the dosage used. In fact, aspirin is now a drug that can treat many health problems.
But, behind its multi-functional properties, this drug also has several side effects that need to be watched out for. What are the pros and cons of this million people medicine? Come on, follow the explanation below.
Aspirin is a multifunctional drug
The drug aspirin, or in the pharmaceutical world is called acetyl salicylic acid, is a form of processed salicin compound found in many plants. This compound has several functions, according to the dosage. Basically, aspirin works to inhibit an enzyme that produces and regulates the work of prostaglandins, a compound in the body that is produced when inflammation occurs. So, anything involving prostaglandins can be prevented by aspirin.
Some of the effects aspirin produces include:
- Antipyretic effect → functions to lower body temperature during fever.
- Anti-inflammatory effect → serves to relieve inflammation.
- Analgesic effect → pain reliever.
- Anti-platelet effect → prevents blood cells (platelets) from sticking to the walls of blood vessels, so that blood clotting can be inhibited.
What is the right dose of aspirin?
There is a difference between over-the-counter aspirin and the one prescribed by a doctor. Over-the-counter aspirin is usually available in the form of oral tablets, chewable tablets, powder form, as well as chewing gum. Whereas what the doctor prescribes is usually a loose tablet periodically, so that it can release the drug slowly. In periodically released tablets, drug levels in the blood can be maintained and produce long-term therapeutic effects.
In pharmacology books, Katzhung et al states that the dose of aspirin for anti-pain and anti-fever effects is 300-900 mg, given every 4-6 hours. The maximum dose is 4 grams a day, because any more than that, aspirin will show side effects. Meanwhile, to get anti-inflammatory effects, the dosage used is 4-6 grams per day.
To get the anti-platelet effect, the dosage used is 60-80 mg orally per day. In the process of blood clotting, aspirin blocks the cyclooxygenase pathway which produces thromboxane A2 and prostaglandins which cause blood clots that may block blood vessels.
Consumption of aspirin is recommended to follow the dosage as needed. In people who have impaired kidney and liver function, adjusting the dosage is absolutely necessary. Likewise for long-term use. If you routinely take aspirin and are about to perform either major surgery or minor surgery (such as tooth extraction), you must stop taking aspirin to prevent bleeding during the operation.
Although aspirin is generally safe, aspirin still has side effects, and can even be dangerous for some people. Therefore, safe aspirin consumption must be under the supervision of a doctor.
Health benefits of aspirin
1. Overcoming fever
When you have a fever and accompanying symptoms such as body aches, a single dose of aspirin can make you feel much better. The anti-pyretic compounds in aspirin can send signals to the brain to regulate body temperature so that fever can be overcome.
2. An effective headache remedy
Prostaglandins are compounds that send pain signals to the brain, while aspirin works to block these compounds, making it useful for the treatment of headaches. Headache or migraine can also be relieved by aspirin in a relatively fast time.
3. Good for skin health
Not only for the health of internal organs, aspirin is also useful as an external medicine due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Aspirin can get rid of acne and insect bite marks on the skin. For this purpose, the use of aspirin is not drunk, but is made into a dough / paste form.
Aspirin paste can be made from two crushed aspirin grains, plus a few drops of water. Just dab it on pimples or insect bites and let it dry. After that, rinse with water. Be careful for people who are sensitive to aspirin, because aspirin paste does not remove blemishes on the skin, but actually causes irritation.
4. Reducing the death rate from cancer and fatty liver
The liver can develop fatty acids in people who consume alcohol over a long period of time. Aspirin can inhibit this fatty liver process, so that it does not lead to further complications, namely liver cancer. Several studies have also been developed looking for other benefits of aspirin. The result, a study from John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, shows that aspirin can reduce mortality from several types of cancer.
The mortality rate fell 34% for all cancers and 54% for digestive cancers. After 20 years, the risk of cancer death was 20% lower in the aspirin-given group than in the aspirin-free group. However, other research is still ongoing and it is hoped that these results will improve.
5. As a blood thinner
The anti-clotting effect of aspirin allows it to thin the blood. There are several diseases that can be prevented, including coronary heart disease and venous blockage due to sitting too long. Although aspirin can help prevent heart attacks, patients still should not take aspirin every day without doctor’s advice. Usually doctors will give aspirin as a blood thinner in:
- Patients who have had a heart attack or stroke
- Patients with heart rings / stents, or have had bypass surgery
- Patients who are at risk of having a heart attack and developing diabetes
Aspirin side effects that may occur
1. Bleeding of internal organs
Its blood thinning properties can cause bleeding in various places in the body when consumed in unlimited quantities and exceeding doses. The place where most bleeding occurs is the stomach. Symptoms that arise from bleeding due to aspirin include severe abdominal pain, blackened stools, and reddish urine.
2. Aspirin is dangerous for children
Aspirin can cause a serious disorder called Reye’s Syndrome. In this syndrome, there is accumulation of fat in the brain, liver and other body organs in children, especially if aspirin is given when the child has chickenpox or the flu.
3. Aspirin is dangerous for pregnant women
Aspirin is not recommended for consumption by pregnant women. This drug is harmful to the fetus because it causes many congenital abnormalities, such as congenital heart disease and reduced birth weight. This is because aspirin is able to penetrate the placental lining and affect fetal growth and development.
Well, even though aspirin has many benefits like divine medicine, its use must be careful. Keep communicating with your doctor before starting therapy with this drug.
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- Katzhung et all. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. ECG. 2009
- Pharmacology and Therapy. FKUI. 2011
- National Heart Foundation of Australia. Aspirin. 2009
