Aspirin for cold and flu

Colds are affected by millions of people every year. Such unpleasant symptoms as nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, headache, fever, chills put people in bed and force them to take some measures to get rid of these manifestations of the disease more quickly. Most of us, especially those who do not need a hospital, do not rush to visit a doctor, but act on the principle of "a doctor to himself," while the most common medicine is aspirin. And all over the world it is the best-selling drug. Is it right and is it possible to drink aspirin for cold and flu?

Paracetamol, analgin, aspirin for colds

Before applying this or another medicine you need to understand the mechanism of its action. Characteristics of drugs that meet the manifestations of colds, should contain the following requirements and be:

• anti-inflammatory;
• antipyretic;
• painkillers.

Paracetamol - its main active ingredient acetaminophen affects the processes of thermoregulation and gently eliminates heat. It is a symptomatic drug that does not heal, but alleviates the condition of the patient.

Analgin - in the name "absence of pain" lies the spectrum of its influence, but this is not its only pharmacological effect. It also has an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.

Aspirin - can you drink it with a cold? For more than a century, it has been used to reduce the suffering of a patient during illness. Initially, for treatment from the bark of the tree, salicin was isolated, which later became an active substance of this synthetic agent.

All three drugs have the right to be applied to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of colds and flu.

Indications Aspirin for colds and flu

The action of the drug, first of all, is aimed at lowering the temperature and eliminating the fever. In adults, the indication for the use of aspirin is the figure above 39 ° C, in the presence of severe concomitant pathology - 38 °. Children use it cautiously if the temperature has exceeded 38º. It also removes sore throat, muscle, dental, articular, arthritic in the back and headache. Taking aspirin for colds without fever is considered unreasonable. Other of his indications include the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, including strokes, heart attacks, thromboses. Scientists claim that this does not end the spectrum of its action, there are studies about its use to prevent the development of cancer tumors, Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes.

[1], [2]

Release form

Simple aspirin exists in the form of tablets. There are other forms of the drug:

• aspirin C, combined with ascorbic acid - water-soluble tablets, with a hissing dissolving in a little warm water (over 60 ⁰ C ascorbic acid is destroyed). The effect from them comes much faster than from the usual, which is much safer for the stomach mucosa;
• Aspirin complex - effervescent powder for solution preparation, includes other components for fighting colds.

[3]

Pharmacodynamics

Aspirin is the first non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Its pharmacodynamics is aimed at reducing the activity of cyclooxygenases - enzymes involved in the production of prostanoids - biologically active lipids, responsible for the appearance of edema and pain in inflammation sites. As a result of taking the drug, the influence on the thermoregulation center decreases, the vessels expand, the sweating and, as a result, heat transfer increase, which leads to a decrease in temperature, painful sensations, and reduction of inflammation.

[4]

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption of the drug occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, then turning into acetylsalicylic and salicylic acid. By binding to blood proteins, they are distributed throughout the body along the bloodstream. In the liver, their metabolism occurs, and the withdrawal from it is carried out by the kidneys.

[5], [6], [7], [8], [9]

Dosing and administration

Aspirin is taken no more than 3-5 days after eating, squeezed large amounts of liquid. For adults, the dose once from 300 to 1000 mg, but not more than 4 grams per day. Repeat the tablet can be taken after 4-8 hours after the previous one. The dose for children is determined from the calculation of 60 mg per kilogram of weight, it is divided into 4-6 receptions, the gap between which should be at least 4 hours. Up to 3 years, tablets are not recommended at all. Aspirin C can be used after 4 years, and aspirin complex - after 15.

[15], [16], [17]

Use Aspirin for colds and flu during pregnancy

During pregnancy it is best not to take any medications whatsoever. In the event that this can not be avoided, if other means are ineffective, then taking in low doses is allowed. It used to be that aspirin is most dangerous in the first trimester. But, having conducted a study on 32 thousand pairs "mother-child", there was no connection of congenital malformations of children with a dose not exceeding 150 mg per day. In the third trimester, with a dose of 300 mg or more, there were cases of over-whelping of the child, easing of contractions, intracranial bleeding in children inside the womb.

Contraindications

Aspirin has contraindications for people with renal, hepatic and cardiac insufficiency, hemorrhagic diathesis, peptic ulcer, asthma caused by sallicylates, an allergy to them. With caution apply to patients after surgery, removal of the tooth, accompanied by blood loss. Also try to avoid aspirin to women in the last trimester of pregnancy and children with ARVI.

[10], [11], [12]

Side effects Aspirin for colds and flu

Aspirin can cause a number of side effects in the digestive organs: pain in the epigastric region, the formation of erosions and ulcers. He can be the culprit of bleeding: nasal, gastric, urogenital system, gums, and they, in turn, are dangerous iron deficiency anemia. In rare cases, cerebral hemorrhage is possible in people with hypertension. Allergy to the drug is manifested by rashes, redness, swelling.

[13], [14]

Overdose

Long-term therapy or accidental taking of an excessive dose is fraught with an overdose, the symptoms of which are expressed in dizziness, nausea, vomiting, clouding of consciousness, ringing in the ears. Treatment is carried out depending on the degree of intoxication, like any other poisoning.

[18], [19], [20], [21]

Interactions with other drugs

Taking aspirin requires a cautious approach with the simultaneous use of methotrexate for the treatment of leukemia, lymphomas. On the interaction with other drugs it is known that, together with:

• ibuprofenum - the cardioprotective effect of acetylsalicylic acid decreases;
• other NSAIDs - increases the risk of stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• anti-diabetic means - causes hypoglycemic effect; diuretics - reduce the volume of cleared blood by the kidneys from the products of metabolism;
• valproic acid - increases its toxicity.

[22], [23], [24], [25], [26]

Storage conditions

Aspirin storage conditions include proper temperature conditions (not above 30 ° C), away from direct sunlight and inaccessible to children.

[27], [28], [29], [30], [31]

Shelf life

The maximum shelf life is 5 years, after which the product is disposed of.

[32], [33]

Reviews

According to reviews, most people with catarrhal diseases resort to a proven and reliable tool that can significantly alleviate the condition. Especially noted is the efficacy of aspirin C, its convenience in use. Both patients and doctors agree in the same opinion - the drug is good, effective, inexpensive, deserved the right to be in the first-aid kits of every home.