Aspirin

(acetylsalicylic acid)

  • Wide distribution in body
  • Peak plasma after 2 hours, ½ life 2 hours
  • Free drug = active
  • Salicylates metabolized by liver
  • Urinary excretion 
  • Pregnancy Category D

  • Oral

  • Low dose: 81-325 mg daily

  • Low dose: Inhibits platelet aggregation: irreversibly inhibits cycloxygenase, enzyme responsible for synthesis of thromboxane A2 (required for platelet aggregation / activation); also, anti-inflammatory component

Off-label

  • Livedoid vasculopathy
  • Degos disease
  • Necrobiosis lipoidica
  • Antiphospho-lipid antibody syndrome
  • Erythema nodosum

  • Hypersensitivity – Hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Patients with asthma, rhinitis, nasal polyps

  • Hypersensitivity reactions may occur in susceptible patients (e.g., angioedema, urticaria, asthma, and rhinitis)
  • Peptic ulcer disease (even at ‘low doses’)
  • Gastrointestinal (> other) bleeding
  • Tinnitus

* For further reading refer to a pharmacology source

  • Take with food or glass of water to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms