SUPERDRUG ASPIRIN

Posology Adults and children over 16 years of age:

One to three tablets. Dose should not be repeated more frequently than 4 hour intervals and not more than 4 times in any 24 hour period. If you do not get better talk to your doctor. g. for Kawasaki’s disease). Gastro-intestinal irritation may be reduced by taking aspirin with or immediately after food.

Method of administration Oral

Side effects are generally mild and infrequent.

Blood disorders:

Aspirin increases bleeding time, decreases platelet adhesiveness and, in large doses, may cause hypoprothrombinaemia. It may also cause other blood disorders including thrombocytopenia, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis and pancytopenia.

Haemolytic anaemia can occur in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD ) deficiency.

Immune system:

Aspirin may precipitate bronchospasm and induce dyspnoea, asthma attacks, rhinitis, angioedema , urticaria, rash, or other hypersensitivity in susceptible individuals.

Gastro-intestinal:

There is a relatively high incidence of irritation with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dyspepsia. Slight blood loss, which is often asymptomatic, may occur in some patients; it is not usually of clinical significance but may result in iron-deficiency anaemia during long-term therapy.

Haematemesis and/or melaena may occur. It may induce gastrointestinal ulceration and haemorrhage, occasionally major.

Hepatobiliary:

Increased aminotransferase levels, usually reversible on withdrawal; dose-dependent focal hepatic necrosis.

Renal and urinary disorders:

Haematuria may occur.

Skin:

Skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, may occur in susceptible patients. Reporting of suspected adverse reactions Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important.

Caution should be exercised in patients with asthma, allergic disease, , impairment of hepatic or renal function (avoid if severe), impaired cardiac function, uncontrolled hypertension and dehydration, dyspepsia and in patients with nasal polyps or a history of nasal polyps.

Aspirin should be used with caution in patients with infections, since symptoms such as fever and inflammation may be masked. The elderly may be more susceptible to the toxic effects of salicylates. Continuous prolonged use of aspirin should be avoided in the elderly because of the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Caution should be taken in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as haemolytic anaemia may occur. Aspirin may interfere with insulin and gluacagon in diabetes. Aspirin prolongs bleeding time, mainly by inhibiting platelet aggregation and therefore it should be discontinued several days before scheduled surgical procedures.

Renal, hepatic and haematological status should be monitored during prolonged and high dose aspirin therapy. Patients with rare problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose –galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

If symptoms persist for more than 3 days consult your doctor. There is some evidence that drugs which inhibit cyclo-oxygenase / prostaglandin synthesis may cause impairment of female fertility by an effect on ovulation. This is reversible on withdrawal of treatment.

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. There is a possible association between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome when given to children. Reye’s syndrome is a very rare disease, which affects the brain and liver, and can be fatal.

g. for Kawasaki’s disease).

1. In patients with a history of hypersensitivity to aspirin (or any of the excipients) or any other NSAIDs and in patients in whom attacks of asthma, angioedema, urticaria or rhinitis have been precipitated by aspirin or other NSAIDs.

g. for Kawasaki’s disease) • Active peptic ulceration or a history of peptic ulceration. • Haemophilia other coagulopathies, or concurrent anticoagulant therapy • Gout • Doses > 100mg/day during the third trimester of pregnancy.