Aspirin is a medication that can be bought over-the-counter and is taken to relieve pain, lower a fever and fight inflammation. It is also used to prevent and treat heart attacks as well as treat strokes, heart disease and arthritis. There are, however, side effects from taking too much.
What is Aspirin?
Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, because it is not a steroid medication but it is anti-inflammatory. It interferes with the cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Enzymes are proteins that speed up the time of a process within a cell. The cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme protects the stomach lining and stimulates the platelets to clot. The cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme is involved with producing substances that take part in inflammation. Thus, aspirin interferes with the formation of clots and is anti-inflammatory.
Effects on the Stomach
Because aspirin interferes with the protection of the stomach lining, it can cause side effects on the stomach, which are the most common side effects of taking this medication. Taking aspirin can cause an upset stomach, inflammation in the stomach and ulcers that can bleed or perforate. The side effects depend upon the dose and can also occur with buffered aspirin or enteric-coated aspirin.
Effects of an Acute Overdose
Taking at least 150 mg of aspirin for each kilogram of weight can lead to severe toxic side effects. This is referred to as an acute overdose. Symptoms include nausea, ringing in the ears and fast breathing. Symptoms can progress to fever, seizures, mental confusion, muscle abnormalities, kidney failure and even respiratory failure.
Effects of a Chronic Overdose
People can also develop serious side effects after taking high doses of aspirin for several days, which is known as chronic overdose; it occurs more often to the elderly. In a chronic overdose, people can become very mentally confused or the confusion may not be that noticeable. They can develop a fever, have low blood pressure and become dehydrated. The physician may find that fluid has accumulated in the lungs as well.
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony Fauci, M.D., Dennis Kasper, M.D., Dan Longo, M.D. et al.; 2008
- The Merck Manual Online Medical Library: Aspirin and Other Salicylate Poisoning
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