What it means
Acetylsalicylic acid, the oldest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugnon-STAIR-oy-dul an-tee-in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee DRUGA drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.non- notanti- againstinflamm/o inflammationFull entry . At regular doses it treats pain, fever and inflammation; at a low daily dose (often 81 mg) it is used to prevent clots after a heart attack, stroke or stent. Its effect on plateletPLAYT-litA tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.Full entry lasts for the life of the platelet, about a week. Main risks are stomach bleeding and other bleeding, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus) at high doses.
For the nurse
Ask about bleeding, ulcers and other blood thinners, and teach the client to take it with food and report black stools or unusual bruising. Enteric-coated tablets are swallowed whole. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers with a viral illness, because of the risk of Reye syndrome. It is usually stopped before surgery, as the provider directs. The Beers Criteria advise against starting it for primary prevention in older adults.
At a glance
| Drug class | salicylate; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; antiplatelet |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin |
| Abbreviations | ASA |
| Spanish | aspirina |
| Also written | acetylsalicylic acid, ASA |
Related terms
analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.
platelet
A tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
A drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
ibuprofen
A drug that eases pain, fever and inflammation; a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.