What are the adverse reactions of aspirin?
Dec 27, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
When using aspirin, patients should follow medical advice to take the medication properly and closely monitor their physical reactions. If any abnormal symptoms occur, they should seek medical attention promptly and inform their doctor about their medication use, so that the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment. At the same time, patients should also avoid taking aspirin with alcohol, sweet foods, acidic foods, fruit juices, or strong tea, in order to prevent worsening of adverse reactions.
Generally speaking, aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), commonly available in dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. Its adverse reactions may include gastrointestinal discomfort, bleeding tendency, allergic reactions, hepatic and renal function impairment, and central nervous system reactions. A detailed breakdown is as follows:
1. Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Gastrointestinal discomfort is the most common adverse reaction of aspirin. Patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric discomfort, or pain. Long-term or high-dose use of aspirin can even lead to serious consequences such as gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients are advised to take the medication on an empty stomach or before bedtime to reduce irritation to the gastric mucosa.
2. Bleeding Tendency
Aspirin has an antiplatelet aggregation effect, which increases the risk of bleeding. Patients may experience symptoms such as gingival bleeding, epistaxis, or hematuria. In severe cases, it may even lead to massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Patients should closely monitor bleeding at various sites of the body during medication, and seek medical attention promptly if abnormalities occur.
3. Allergic Reaction
Some patients may have allergic reactions to aspirin or its components. Manifestations of allergic reactions include rash, urticaria, angioedema, and in severe cases, even anaphylactic shock. Aspirin should not be used in such patients.
4. Hepatic and Renal Function Impairment
Long-term or high-dose use of aspirin may cause damage to liver and kidney function. This damage is usually related to the dosage of the medication, and most cases can recover after discontinuation. However, patients still need to regularly monitor liver and kidney function indicators during use to ensure safety.
5. Central Nervous System Reactions
In rare cases, aspirin may cause central nervous system symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and tinnitus. These symptoms may be related to the direct effects of the drug on the nervous system.
When using aspirin, patients should follow medical advice for proper medication and closely monitor their physical reactions. If abnormal symptoms occur, they should seek medical attention promptly and inform their doctors of their medication history to assist in diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, patients should avoid taking the medication with alcohol, sweet foods, acidic foods, fruit juices, or strong tea, to prevent exacerbating adverse reactions.
