Aspirin; Its Uses, Side Effects And Nurses’ Responsibility

Aspirin is an OTC drug, and despite its effectiveness and importance, a lot of damages are developed when individuals who patronize patent drugs sellers use these drugs without due health education. As nurses, we need to health educate the public about the effect of OTC, and why a lot of them need a prescription before purchasing some drugs. Aspirin is used to reduce severe pain, relieve mild to moderate pain. It is known as a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Aspirin’s ability to suppress the production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes is due to its irreversible inactivation of the cyclooxygenase (COX; officially known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase, PTGS) enzyme required for prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis. Aspirin acts as an acetylating agent where an acetyl group is covalently attached to a serine residue in the active site of the PTGS enzyme (Suicide inhibition). This makes aspirin different from other NSAIDs (such as diclofenac and ibuprofen), which are reversible inhibitors. Dosage Aspirin comes in tablets 300mg and 325mg. Uses – Severe pain – A toothache – Arthritis – Body ache – It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke or heart failure Contraindication – Diabetes – Stomach problem – Heartburn – Stomach pain – Asthma – Kidney disease – Pregnancy Side effects – Upset stomach – Heartburn – Easy bruising (bleeding) – Ringing in the ears – Yellowing eyes/skin – Itching – Swelling – Vomiting – Stomach/ abdominal pain Interaction Aspirin interacts with other NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen. Nurses’ Responsibility – Take consent from your patient – Ask patients if he is diabetic, asthmatic or an ulcer patient or pregnant. – Counsel patient on effect prolonged use of aspirin – Health educate the patient on the contraindication – Check vital signs, especially the blood pressure to see if it has in any way affected the reading. Enjoy the rest of the week!!!