What is an ASA?

Question

I'm having surgery this week, and I'm having bad cramping. The hospital papers say not to take Moltrin or ASA for 1 week prior to surgery. What can I take for the pain?

Answer 1

MOLTRIN is the brand name of the base drug IBUPROFEN.-

IBUPROFEN is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, C13H18O2, used especially in the treatment of arthritis and commonly taken for its analgesic and antipyretic properties.

Reported adverse drug reactions of this drug are - nausea, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal ulceration/bleeding, raised liver enzymes, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, priapism, salt and fluid retention, hypertension,.oesophageal ulceration, heart failure, hyperkalaemia, renal impairment, confusion, bronchospasm, rash.

ASA is the abbreviation of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). And the general side effects of Aspirin are -

* an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
* black, bloody, or tarry stools;
* nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain;
* uncontrolled fever;
* blood in the urine or vomit;
* decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
* seizures; or
* dizziness, confusion, or hallucinations.

These drugs are used to thinning down the blood and patients taking this medicine are required to stop the same well before the sugery to avoid exessive bleeding during the proceedure and afterwards.

You have not told us what surgery you are going to undergoe. so stop these medications and ask yur doctor to give an alternate medicine for reliveing pain and he will do the needful-

Answer 2

You have a number of correct answers above (and a few wrong ones), but let me clarify that aspirin does not decrease the number of platelets or affect the coagulation proteins. It causes a "qualitative" platelet defect meaning the platelets do not stick together as usual to start a blood clot when there is an injury such as cutting with surgery. Platelets are small blood cells (smaller than red cells or white cells) that normally circulate for about ten days. When you take aspirin, it affects all the platelets in your body. Each day 10% of these platelets are replaced by newly formed platelets from the bone marrow, so after five days away from aspirin you have ~50% normal functioning platelets and by ten days you should have all normal platelets. Motrin and most other NSAID's have a lesser effect on platelets, but they should also be avoided before surgery. Tylenol does not affect platelet function, but it is a poor pain reliever in my opinion. (Personal bias against the overuse of Tylenol which can have liver damaging effects)
{Oh, "NSAID's are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs}
Good luck with the surgery! [ Retired blood specialist MD ]

Answer 3

In this case, ASA stands for aspirin (AcetylSalacylic Acid). Just to confuse you, you may also see that you're classified ASA class I for anesthesia risks (American Society of Anesthesiologists). Though NSAID's work much better for cramps, you should make do with acetaminophen either alone or perhaps with a prescribed narcotic, to limit your risks of perioperative bleeding and prolonged healing time that can be associated with the use of NSAID's.

Answer 4

ASA is acetasalycitic acid (aspirin). It can cause bleeding and bruising because it thins the blood. Doctors give patients aspirin therapy if they have a history of heart attacks or strokes. Stick with Tylenol unless you have liver problems. If you have any questions consult with your doctor.

Answer 5

There are many substitutes for pain medication, and commonly people would quickly jump to acetaminophen or Motrin. What I have found best though for pain aside from the normal over the counter "quick fixes" that most doctors will give is actually either herbal tea or other relaxing beverages.

Answer 6

ASA= Aspirin - they should have spelled that out on your instructions. Aspirin will inhibit your blood clotting factors and its important not to take that prior to surgery.

Answer 7

ASA is short for Aspirin, it's a blood-thinner.
Ask the pharmacist for advice; s/he'll probably say Tylenol.

Answer 8

ASA is aspirin. Aspirin is an anticoagulant and will make your blood very thin. So if surgery is bound to happen, your wounds won't heal because it will lack platelets to heal up and you will continue to bleed.

Answer 9

ASA is an abbreviation for acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin). You could take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for pain until your surgery.

Answer 10

As per my knowledge, they mean to say that u should not take any anesthetic agents for pain, ASA generally mean anesthesia.