(wiki : Aspirin (USAN), also known as acetylsalicylic acid (pronounced /əˌsɛtɪlsælɪˌsɪlɪk ˈæsɪd/, abbreviated ASA), is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication.)
A new study by The Lancet shows that aspirin should no longer be used to help prevent cardiovascular disease. What does this mean if you're taking aspirin? The Mail on Sunday's expert looks at the findings.
Q: What did the new research on aspirin show?
A: The study by The Lancet looked at a large number of people who were advised to take aspirin to help prevent cardiovascular disease - strokes and heart attacks. In the past few years, doctors have advised aspirin for two groups of patients who are highly likely to have a heart attack: the first because they have risk factors such as diabetes or obesity (what's called primary prevention), the second because they have already had a heart attack (secondary prevention). The study showed that aspirin should no longer be used as primary prevention.
Q: Does that mean it is dangerous?
A: All medication has potential side effects and we know that taking aspirin long-term can cause bleeding from the stomach, although the risks are small. Since the benefits seen in primary prevention were negligible, it is felt that the risks of bleeding outweigh the potential benefits. For those who have already had a heart attack or stroke, the benefits are well established and far outweigh the small risk of bleeding.
Q: Can I just stop it if I am taking it for primary prevention?
A: It is a good idea to discuss it with your GP in case there is anything specific to your medical history that would mean you should continue.
Q: What does aspirin actually do?
A: Aspirin works to prevent heart attacks and strokes by stopping blood clots that are often the cause. There are cells in your blood called platelets which stick together to make clots. Aspirin is an 'anti-platelet' drug and prevents this happening. This action also causes the bleeding.
Q: What else is aspirin used for?
A: Aspirin is an extremely useful drug. As well as being anti-platelet, it is good for lowering temperature and is helpful in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. It is widely used as a painkiller, and in soluble form can be highly effective at the onset of a migraine.
Q: Who should not take aspirin?
A: Anybody with bleeding problems such as haemophilia or with stomach ulcers must never take aspirin. Caution would be advised in those with asthma, gout or kidney problems.
Q: Can children take aspirin?
A: Children under the age of 16 should not be given aspirin. There is a serious, often fatal, condition called Reye's syndrome which was shown to be linked to giving aspirin to feverish children. For this reason children are no longer given aspirin. For pain relief and fever in children, use ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Q: Can pregnant women take aspirin?
A: Only on the advice of a doctor. It is sometimes prescribed by obstetricians for specific conditions; otherwise use paracetamol when pregnant.
Q: What did the new research on aspirin show?
A: The study by The Lancet looked at a large number of people who were advised to take aspirin to help prevent cardiovascular disease - strokes and heart attacks. In the past few years, doctors have advised aspirin for two groups of patients who are highly likely to have a heart attack: the first because they have risk factors such as diabetes or obesity (what's called primary prevention), the second because they have already had a heart attack (secondary prevention). The study showed that aspirin should no longer be used as primary prevention.
Q: Does that mean it is dangerous?
A: All medication has potential side effects and we know that taking aspirin long-term can cause bleeding from the stomach, although the risks are small. Since the benefits seen in primary prevention were negligible, it is felt that the risks of bleeding outweigh the potential benefits. For those who have already had a heart attack or stroke, the benefits are well established and far outweigh the small risk of bleeding.
Q: Can I just stop it if I am taking it for primary prevention?
A: It is a good idea to discuss it with your GP in case there is anything specific to your medical history that would mean you should continue.
Q: What does aspirin actually do?
A: Aspirin works to prevent heart attacks and strokes by stopping blood clots that are often the cause. There are cells in your blood called platelets which stick together to make clots. Aspirin is an 'anti-platelet' drug and prevents this happening. This action also causes the bleeding.
Q: What else is aspirin used for?
A: Aspirin is an extremely useful drug. As well as being anti-platelet, it is good for lowering temperature and is helpful in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. It is widely used as a painkiller, and in soluble form can be highly effective at the onset of a migraine.
Q: Who should not take aspirin?
A: Anybody with bleeding problems such as haemophilia or with stomach ulcers must never take aspirin. Caution would be advised in those with asthma, gout or kidney problems.
Q: Can children take aspirin?
A: Children under the age of 16 should not be given aspirin. There is a serious, often fatal, condition called Reye's syndrome which was shown to be linked to giving aspirin to feverish children. For this reason children are no longer given aspirin. For pain relief and fever in children, use ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Q: Can pregnant women take aspirin?
A: Only on the advice of a doctor. It is sometimes prescribed by obstetricians for specific conditions; otherwise use paracetamol when pregnant.
The main undesirable side effects of aspirin are gastrointestinal ulcers, stomach bleeding, and tinnitus, especially in higher doses. In children and adolescents, aspirin is no longer used to control flu-like symptoms or the symptoms of chickenpox or other viral illnesses, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.[4]
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