having been prescribed soluble aspirin to prevent strokes at a dose of 1 a day..... the patient who is a little forgetful ...due to age .... has taken at least triple that ... even though ... they are being monitored .... when there isnt anyone there ... they forget they have taken the tablet and so takes another.....
2007-10-01 07:52:14 · 11 answers · asked by amlis 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
In general, of course, it is best to use a pill monitor to provide the daily dosage of pills so that the number required for the day is controlled. This is especially important in forgetful persons. However, as most people are taking an 81 mg aspirin tablet daily for stroke prevention, triple the dose would be 243 mg. As a standard aspirin headache tablet is 325 mg and most people take the 2 tablets recommended for a headache that would be 650 mg. So as an occasional occurance the 243mg dose is not an extreme amount. The larger concern, of course, is, most people taking medications for stroke prevention are on medications other than aspirin, such as medications for blood pressure, diabetes, or other health conditions. It would be the accidental doubling or tripling of these medications which would be much more concerning.
Get the patient a pill minder that has enough openings for as many doses per day as neccessary and seven days per week, and set them up once per week. Then set a timer or alarm to remind them when to take the medications. This will ensure better control of the medications, and the patient's health condition.
I have often had patients who did not have anyone to set this up for them, come by my office, and my nurse would set up their medications once a week. It cut down on accidental overdoses and increased medication compliance.
2007-10-04 18:25:28 · answer #1 · answered by US_DR_JD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Triple the dose of 81 mg aspirin will not kill you, but it can have an effect on thinning out the blood, so I would be careful that the patient doesn't fall or cut themselves. It can also cause stomach problems if done too often. I would reccomend getting one or two of those pill boxes that have the days of the week, and even several times of day, and sort the patients medication in to the boxes. That way they will know if they already took the medicine or not.
2007-10-01 08:06:13 · answer #2 · answered by CSmom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pill boxes are ineffective @ times when a person- alone- is forgetful. Have you considered a Home Health Agency or Public Health to make home visits to monitor this Patient? I don't think the medication you speak of will be toxic enough to kill this person. Calling the Physician would be a good idea. Here are some sites below that may help you with an answer. Good luck and take care!
2007-10-01 08:07:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 aspirin will be pretty harmless. But you might think about getting one of those pill boxes where you put the right tablets for each day in. So you don't take too many of one or forget them.
Aspirin CAN irritate the stomach. But you can take 3 at a time, so they aren't going to do any lasting damage.
2007-10-01 08:02:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The risk of taking extra aspirin is immediate, rather than cumulative.
1 X 75ms /day doubles the GI bleeding risk
2 X 75mgs/day quadruples the risk
3 X 75 mgs/day increases the risk by a factor of 6
One must bear in mind that a few doctors recommend higher doses of aspirin than 75mgs/day anyway.
2007-10-01 08:39:07 · answer #5 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am asuming the aspirin prescribed in the low dose, taking three on as a whole will not hurt you, my question is if they are taking too many aspirin what else could they be possible be over dosing on? that could be potentionally be life threatning, aspirin can cause stomach upset, always remember also when taking aspirin, do not take other pain reliever or nsaids ( non steriodal anti inflamatory drugs) such as tylenol, advil, celebrex etc. (double dosing)
2007-10-01 08:05:19 · answer #6 · answered by Beverly W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the medicine box idea is a great one. I would fill the box for them and take the rest of the meds out of their site. Even if its just the aspirin its dangerous. Asprin thins the blood and can cause serious stomach problems.
2007-10-01 08:02:40 · answer #7 · answered by vmoore708 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as a 1 off this isnt NORMALLY dangerous but if this is a regular thing then this can e very dangerous. if they are unable to self medicate then they need extra assistance.....
2007-10-01 07:56:19 · answer #8 · answered by cinderella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what about a medicine box x which has the days on it..helped with my grandma...this could be serious if not sorted...
2007-10-01 07:55:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on how much more you take.Triple the dose would probably kill you.
2007-10-01 07:55:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋