Is aspirin really a "magic drug"? Some people should take it, and some people shouldn't

Most people are familiar with aspirin. In many people's impressions, it is a century-old "magic medicine" that can cure diseases and strengthen the body. However, many people are not suitable for taking aspirin. After taking the medicine, the risks and efficacy of the medicine offset each other, and even the risks of taking the medicine will be greater than the efficacy. So how to take aspirin safely?

1. "Wonder drugs" created by humans themselves The "gods" in the human world are all created by humans themselves, and aspirin's title of "wonder drug" is no exception. Although aspirin is very effective, the reason why it became a "wonder drug" is mostly due to capital operations. The reason is simple, that is, in order to sell better drugs, pharmaceutical companies need "endorsement" from the academic community, so they will invest in research related to drug efficacy.

Although scientific research is objective and rigorous, when there are no major problems with the drug itself and it does not violate the principle of authenticity, the conclusions drawn from scientific research will usually be biased towards the needs of investors, and the conclusions that are beneficial to the "financial sponsor" will be selected for publication. There is competition between different pharmaceutical companies, and in order to suppress their opponents, they will try their best to find the weaknesses of the other party's drugs. Therefore, the truth of science is gradually revealed in commercial competition.

2. Look at aspirin objectively. The chemical structure of aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. When used in large doses, it is used as an antipyretic and analgesic, and can be used for fever, pain and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the most widely used is low-dose aspirin, because it can inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent thrombosis. Because cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the biggest cause of human death, the use of aspirin can reduce the incidence of diseases such as myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction.

However, when taking aspirin, it will inevitably damage the gastric mucosa, causing adverse reactions in the digestive tract, such as digestive ulcers, bleeding, etc. For people with low and medium risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the thrombosis prevention effect of taking aspirin will offset the risks it brings. For this group of people, it is not recommended to take aspirin.

3. Who needs to take aspirin? Primary prevention: Primary prevention refers to those who have never had cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease but are at risk of developing the disease. People between the ages of 40 and 70 who have a high risk of cardiovascular disease but no increased risk of bleeding can take aspirin.

For example, people with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, family history of premature cardiovascular disease, obesity and other factors, if they have a high probability of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases but have no risk of bleeding, can take aspirin for primary prevention.

Secondary prevention: Secondary prevention refers to people who have already had thrombotic diseases, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and need to prevent recurrence. There is no age limit for secondary prevention, and aspirin needs to be taken as long as there are no contraindications.

4. How to take aspirin safely 1. Take on demand: A doctor should conduct a risk assessment. Only those whose risk of thrombosis is greater than that of bleeding need to take aspirin.

2. Control blood pressure: Patients with hypertension need to control their blood pressure. If the blood pressure cannot be controlled within the normal range, they cannot take the medicine.

3. Prevent digestive tract damage: When taking aspirin, you can use antacids to protect the digestive tract mucosa. People with Helicobacter pylori infection should undergo eradication treatment before taking aspirin.

4. Take enteric-coated tablets before meals: Take enteric-coated aspirin 30 to 60 minutes before meals to allow it to pass through the stomach quickly and avoid irritation to the gastric mucosa caused by the disintegration of the drug in the stomach.

5. Avoid drinking alcohol: Alcohol will aggravate the damage to the gastric mucosa. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the medicine.

6. Be alert to the risk of bleeding: People with thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, and severe liver and kidney dysfunction should not take the medicine before the disease is well controlled.

7. Be alert to drug interactions: Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs, barbiturates and other drugs may affect the effect of aspirin. When combined medication is needed, consult a doctor or pharmacist to ensure safety.

To sum up, aspirin is an antiplatelet drug that can prevent the formation of blood clots for people at high risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. But aspirin is not a "magic drug". There are medication risks during use and it cannot be taken casually. It is necessary to compare the benefits of medication with the risks of medication, and it can only be taken when the benefits outweigh the risks. If you find any problems during medication, consult a doctor or pharmacist in time. I am pharmacist Huazi. Welcome to follow me and let me be the pharmacist by your side.