Aspirin Side Effects - The Facts
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ASPIRIN SIDE EFFECTS: Aspirin was the first of the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to be discovered and it remains one of the more popular discount prescriptions today. Aspirin however has recently been discovered to have some additional side effects - aspirin-induced asthma, in addition to resistance to the drug. Aspirin, known generically as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is most often used as an analgesic to reduce fever, relieve minor aches and pains and a general anti-inflammatory medication.
To Evaluate the Side Effects of Aspirin, Age and Pre-Existing Conditions Must be Considered
Age is an important factor when assessing aspirin side effects on young children and teens. Prescription drug facts will tell you that children and teenagers should not take ASA when suffering from influenza or chicken pox as this combination of medication, illness and age has been known to result in Reye’s Syndrome - a complicated and potentially fatal condition. While this combination has been known for some time, only recent studies have identified aspirin-induced asthma affecting up to 21% of those individuals who take it – or another NSAID – on a regular, or frequent, basis. Historically, small doses of daily ASA were thought to prevent heart attacks and stroke; recent studies indicate that about 25% of those who follow this regimen still experience heart attacks and/or strokes. These people are thought to have developed aspirin resistance.
Those at highest risk of ASA resistance are women, diabetics, overweight people, people with peripheral vascular disease and seniors. A simple blood test of the body’s clotting ability will identify if an individual has developed aspirin resistance.
With the Reye’s exception mentioned above, short term ASA use generally does not result in serious potential side effects and is usually considered an effective treatment. However, besides resistance and induced asthma, long-term aspirin use can lead to serious side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding and, at times, hemorrhagic stroke. If individuals have used – or are intending to use – aspirin on a long-term basis, they should speak with their health care provider to determine if aspirin side effects should be risked.
