Aspirin pill - is it just a painkiller?

Do you also have the habit of taking an aspirin from the pharmacy when you have a headache or body ache? Or does someone in your family take aspirin every day because of a heart condition that the doctor prescribed? Aspirin is a well-known and widely used medicine in our country. But do we really know about this little pill? Is it just a painkiller? Let's talk about it in simple terms today.

What is this aspirin?

Simply put, aspirin is a drug that mainly does several things.

1. Reducing blood clotting: This is the main and most important action of aspirin. It stops the formation of blood clots inside the blood vessels. Therefore, doctors recommend this medicine to reduce the risk of serious diseases such as heart attack and stroke .

2. Reduces pain and swelling: It helps relieve mild to moderate pain such as headaches, toothaches, and muscle aches, and also reduces joint swelling and pain caused by conditions such as arthritis.

3. Reducing fever: Aspirin is also used to reduce fever.

Aspirin belongs to a group of drugs called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) . Other drugs in this group include Ibuprofen and Naproxen. Doctors may also prescribe this drug for a variety of other conditions.

Things to tell your doctor before taking aspirin

Before you start using aspirin, it is essential to inform your doctor about certain conditions you have, as using aspirin with those conditions can be dangerous.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine with a glass of water. Use as directed by your doctor or as directed on the medicine package. If you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with a meal. Never take more than your doctor tells you to.

Be very careful when giving to children!

This is very important. Do not give aspirin to children and young children with flu-like symptoms, such as chickenpox or influenza, without medical advice. Giving it that way can cause a very dangerous condition called Reye's syndrome, which can damage the brain and liver. So be very careful with this.

What to do if you drink too much? (Overdosage)

If you think you've taken more medicine than you thought,Go immediately to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

Other things that may interact with Aspirin

Aspirin can interact with some medications, herbal products, and alcohol, so it's important to tell your doctor about everything you're taking.

Things to be careful about when taking aspirin

• Stomach bleeding: This is the main risk of aspirin. If you have symptoms such as stomach pain, stomach cramps, vomiting blood (like coffee grounds), or black stools , see a doctor immediately . Smoking and drinking alcohol increase this risk.
• Allergies: Some people may be allergic to aspirin. If you experience symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, stop taking the medicine immediately and seek medical advice.
• Pregnancy: If you are a pregnant mother, avoid taking aspirin, especially after 30 weeks. It can be harmful to the unborn baby.
• Dental treatment:If you're going to have something done, like a tooth extraction, don't forget to tell the dentist that you're taking aspirin, because it may take longer to stop the bleeding.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medication, aspirin can cause side effects.

How do you store and dispose of medication?

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
• Do not use expired medicine.
• If the medicine has a strong smell like vinegar, don't use it. That means the medicine has gone bad.
• If you are throwing unused medication in the trash, remove the pills from the container, mix them with something like coffee grounds or soil, put them in a bag, seal it, and dispose of them.