I'm wondering about aspirin...?

Question

I know that aspirin thins the blood, a painkiller....rah rah, but what happens medically...(kind of) when you take too much? I'm not talking about od-ing or anything, but what will happen once too much aspirin is in your body?

I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna od, but my bf tells me he's taking more than two aspirin every 4 hours all day, which is the recommended dose. just wondering when too much becomes too much, and what can happen if you continue to take too much. thanks

Answer 1

You're getting a lot of BAD ANSWERS!

Aspirin is a medication that inhibits the formation of a specific type of chemical compound termed "prostaglandin". It actually binds irreversibly to an enzyme called "cyclo-oxygenase" which is part of the mechanism of prostaglandin synthesis. This inhibition of prostaglandin formation has a number of physiologic effects.

One of these effects is to decrease the chemical signaling of pain and inflammation in tissues that are responding to an irritating source such as minor injury, skeletomuscular strain, etc. By decreasing the amount of prostaglandin formed at the site of inflammation, the cascade of chemical signals that leads to ongoing pain and swelling is interrupted, and the inflammation can dissipate.

Another effect is that platelets (a type of tiny blood cell that is involved in clotting and injury repair) are decreased in function. This decrease doesn't return if the aspirin levels wear off. The change is permanent until the normal rate of cell turnover replaces the old platelets with new ones that have not been exposed to aspirin. The actual rate of platelet formation is completely unaffected. Platelets are replaced from the bone marrow quite rapidly.

Aspirin is known to be aggravating to the stomach lining. This is not related to prostaglandin. The mechanism here is that the aspirin molecule shuttles H+ (the hydrogen ion - the reactive proton that makes acids "acid") across the protective mucus layer coating the stomach lining. The acid then damages the cells and can lead to areas of stomach where the lining cells have been destroyed. These are called "ulcers".

Children's aspirin is not taken by adults because it gets past the stomach without harming the lining. Children's aspirin (81 milligrams) is taken on a once daily basis by adults who are using it to partially reduce platelet function and decrease the risk of tiny spontaneous clots in the arteries of the heart. 81mg aspirin dosed daily is known to decrease heart attacks! Children's aspirin is still known to hurt the stomach. For people who want to sneak aspirin past the stomach with more protection, there is "enteric coated aspirin" which has a tougher layer on top that is likely to still be intact when the pill exits the stomach and enters the intestine.

Aspirin is eliminated from the bloodstream through the kidneys. For people with normal kidney function, the rate at which the drug leaves the system through kidney filtration is essentially constant. Overdoses of aspirin in otherwise healthy people are not likely to cause some kind of severe bleeding problem. Platelets are important, but they are not the central mechanism that controls blood clotting.

There are a number of common side effects such as ringing in the ears that I have heard about, when people have taken moderately large doses. Severe overdoses are documented to cause fever, seizures, various organ dysfunctions and even death. I am unaware of at what dose this would occur, but I imagine it would be quite high.

I hope that helps answer your questions.

Beware of what information you get by way of yahoo answers. This medium is completely unregulated. People can say whatever they think. If you want to really know something, you can start here, but then verify those things you learn by checking primary resources and not letting other people interpret the information FOR you!

Answer 2

You understand the basics per your question. The other important thing to know about is -- if you take aspirin too much it can affect the stomach lining and cause problems. This can be avoided if you take it for blood thinning as recommended by Doctors as you age by using baby aspirin which has a protective coating around the aspirin. the baby aspirin is a reasonable amount per day also.
For pain it is ok from time to time maybe when you use more per day but not for the long term.

Answer 3

for sure you've some variety of document to do on aspirin, which I doubt that you receives all people on the following to do for you. to reply to your question in spite of the undeniable fact that... aspirin is quite of a "ask your self drug". it really is an exceedingly powerful blood thinner, and it prevents thousands of heart attacks. Many docs positioned sufferers on an aspirin routine for that reason. sturdy success such as your homework.

Answer 4

Generally aspirin in considered to be a harmless drug but it can have some very nasty side effects if the dosage guidelines are not followed and too much is taken. Side effects include:
- heartburn
- pains in the stomach and bloating
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation
- dizziness
- drowsiness, fatigue
- ringing in the ears
- blurred vision
- depression
- sweating
- fluid retention, ankles may swell, thirst

More serious problems can include breathing becoming wheezy and the chest feels tight, the face, lips, and tongue swell, abnormal bleeding and bruising easily, stomach lining can become inflamed and peptic ulcer, vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds and your bowel motions (poo) may look black and tar-like.

Answer 5

Tylenol or non-aspirin ocd's are what to take. I do not know any doctor who tells you to take aspirin except for those who take it for the heart. Aspirin is not good for your stomach. You should never give a baby aspirin. Talk to the pharmacist. This information will be confirmed.

Answer 6

Your blood vessels widen, along with a bunch of other milder symptoms.


Eventually, the blood will not have enough pressure to travel to all the cells, especially skin cells.

This loss of circulation could result in:

-weakness/tiredness
-hypotension (opposite of hypertension)
-possible decrease of senses
-much more milder symptoms such as more wrinkles

BUT YOU CAN COUNTERACT ITS EFFECTS WITH...

CAFFEINE, SUDAFED PE or NOSE SPRAY, or anything with phenylephrine hcl, epinephrine, or similar

Answer 7

your bone marrow cells won't make enough plateletes and your blood will be very thin. If you have an injury or bad cut you can bleed to beath since you won't have enough platelets for a clotting factor. You can have a massive bleed (hemorage)

Answer 8

when you take too much asprin, most of it is naturally filtered out of you. taking too much can have the effects on your body of a vicodin but not nearly as stable. taking large amounts over a long period of time can destabalize your heart and circulatory system. unless you take a very large amount you won't o-d, but it is not recommended to take more than the bottle dose in any case.

Answer 9

U could get an ulcer, (bleeding stomach)