Aspirin

• General Information About Aspirin
• Aspirin And Heart Disease
• Symptoms Of Aspirin Overdose
• Treatment Of Aspirin Overdose

Therapeutic Uses of Aspirin

• Antipyretic - Aspirin has antipyretic activity. Antipyretic means that it has the capability in reducing fever. According to studies, Aspirin acts on the brain's hypothalamus. Hypothalamus is a small gland which helps in regulating body temperature. The prostaglandins present in the hypothalamus stimulate the it to increase the temperature of the body thus resulting to fever. Aspirin, when taken will then be dissolved in the body. Its tiny particles will be distributed to the system and upon reaching the hypothalamus, it will inhibit further production of prostaglandins therefore lowering body temperature.
  
  
• Analgesic - This term may also be referred to as a painkiller or pain reliever. Aspirin can relieve pains and minor body aches. Platelet cyclooxygenase or COX is an enzyme which facilitates the activity of prostaglandins that produces body pain. Aspirin functions as an analgesic by blocking the action of these COX enzymes therefore minimizing and relieving pain. Aspirin can effectively treat headaches, back pains, muscle pains and other common body pains.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory - As discussed, COX enzymes produces prostaglandins. These prostaglandins promote inflammation and pain. As an anti-inflammatory drug, Aspirin hinders COX enzymes to produce more prostaglandins. As the amount of prostaglandins in the body is minimized, inflammation and pain are slowly reduced as well.

Usual dose as an antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug:

• 500 mg to 1000 mg every 4 or 6 hours but not to exceed 4000 mg a day.