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Is Aspirin Good For Arthritis

Study Treatment And Follow

New Aspirin Guidelines

Women were followed up about their pill compliance by questionnaire each 6 months during the first year and yearly thereafter. They were also queried about potential side effects to aspirin, diagnoses of outcomes of interest including RA, and risk factors, such as cigarette smoking. At the end of the trial, morbidity and mortality follow-up were 97.2% and 99.4% complete, respectively. Participants were considered compliant if they took at least two-thirds of the study pills . Non-trial use of aspirin on 4 days/month averaged 12% during follow-up, with no significant difference between active and placebo groups.

Are There Other Major Side Effects Of Nsaids I Should Know About

NSAIDs can significantly disrupt blood flow to the kidneys, which could impair their ability to function and even lead to kidney failure over time. Youre at higher risk for serious effects if you or your family has a history of kidney problems, or if you have certain health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. If your doctor determines that youre at risk of renal impairment or renal failure, NSAIDs may not be recommended.

You can read a more thorough list of NSAID side effects here, but you should talk to your doctor about which issues might be of particular concern for you.

A Safer Way To Take Nsaids

One of the good things my first rheumatologist did was get me to take omeprazole daily because of my high NSAID doses. I also knew never to take them without food. Together, this helps prevent stomach damage.

Last week, the FDA approved Duexis, a new pill by Horizon Pharma which adds famotidine to ibuprofen. Clinical trials showed a reduced number of gastric ulcers over use of ibuprofen alone. Each tablet includes 800 mg of ibuprofen and 26.6 mg of an acid preventive .

This would be more convenient for RA patients who have to take so many pills. And maybe theyd be less likely to forget to take an acid preventive. But, Ill probably continue to buy generic of each product to save money.

Edit 5/8/11: Someone messaged me about the maximum doses listed. I am not recommending them, only reporting them. All medication doses should be discussed with a doctor, as stated in the sites disclaimer.

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Is Aspirin As Good As Other Nsaids

Some think so. No NSAIDs can affect disease outcome. But they all work to reduce inflammation and pain. Salicylates are the mainstay of therapy, because they decrease inflammation, relieve joint pain and are relatively safe. Aspirin in high doses is as effective as any other NSAID and much less expensive, HealthScout. However, all NSAIDs used in high doses or long-term can cause side effects such as tinnitus or lead to gastrointestinal damage or kidney damage. NSAIDs also have a blood thinning effect.

Aspirin And Nsaid Allergy

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Since aspirin and NSAIDs are common medications, it is important to know if you suffer from an allergy to these treatments. An allergic reaction usually occurs within a couple hours of taking the medication and can range from mild to serious. Reactions may include:

Skin: redness, swelling of lips and tongue, hives, itching

Respiratory tract: runny nose, coughing, wheezing and asthma-like symptoms, difficulty breathing

Anaphylaxis: generalized body reaction with above symptoms and decrease in blood pressure

Aspirin and NSAID allergy is present in about 1 percent of the general population, but those with asthma are at a higher risk for an allergic response. Though aspirin and other NSAIDs are commonly known to cause stomach bleeding and ulcers, these reactions are referred to as “adverse events” and are not part of an allergic response. All people taking NSAIDs should take these pills with food to avoid stomach ulcers.

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How To Use Arthritis Pain Relief Tablet

If you are taking this medication for self-treatment, follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor has directed you to take this medication, take it exactly as prescribed.

Take this medication by mouth. Drink a full glass of water with it unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after you have taken this drug. If stomach upset occurs while you are taking this medication, you may take it with food or milk.

The antacid in this product may react with other medications , preventing them from being fully absorbed by your body. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to schedule your medications to prevent this problem.

The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Read the product label to find recommendations on how many tablets you can take in a 24-hour period and how long you may self-treat before seeking medical advice. Do not take more medication or take it for longer than recommended unless directed by your doctor. Use the smallest effective dose. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you are taking this medication as needed , remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medicine may not work as well.

Benefits And Uses Of Aspirin For Dogs

Managing pain, inflammation, and blood clots are the main roles of Aspirin. However, this popular tablet comes with several benefits. Lets take a closer look at the different Aspirin uses for adult dogs.

Aspirin for Pain Relief. The most popular Aspirin use is for pain control. In dogs, common causes of pain and discomfort are osteoarthritis, leg injuries, and dental issues.

Aspirin for Inflammation and Fever. As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Aspirin can control inflammation and decrease fever. This feature can also be used in dogs with arthritis.

Aspirin for Blood Clotting Prevention. Aspirin affects platelet function. Its blood-thinning or anticoagulant effect prevents the formation of blood clots and decreases the risk of strokes in dogs.

Aspirin for Cancer Management. A groundbreaking study showed that Aspirin may prevent cancer spreads in dogs by stopping the malignant cells from hijacking the platelets.

Aspirin for Eye Problems. Another exciting study suggests that Aspirin use helps decrease the incidence of retinopathies in diabetic dogs.

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How To Take Durlaza

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Ask your pharmacist for any clarification you may need.

Take Durlaza with a full glass of water at the same time each day. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, break apart, or open. Do not take two hours before or one hour after drinking alcohol.

What Is The Dosage For Aspirin

Aspirin and Other NSAIDs for Pets

Aspirin should be taken with food. Doses range from 50 mg to 6000 mg daily depending on the use.

  • Usual doses for mild to moderate pain are 350 or 650 mg every 4 hours or 500 mg every 6 hours.
  • Doses for rheumatoid arthritis include 500 mg every 4-6 hours 650 mg every 4 hours 1000 mg every 4-6 hours 1950 mg twice daily.
  • Heart attacks are prevented with 75, 81, 162 or 325 mg daily.
  • 160 to 325 mg of non-enteric coated aspirin should be chewed immediately when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.
  • The dose for preventing another stroke is 75 to 100 mg daily.

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What About The Cardiovascular Risks Of Nsaids

Most NSAIDs with the exception of aspirin come with a small increase in the cardiovascular events such as high blood pressure and heart failure. That risk may be somewhat higher among Celebrex users, though both kinds of NSAIDs can increase the risk of cardiovascular events.

However, for people with inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, the cardiovascular risks of taking NSAIDs may be less than that of the general population, some studies suggest. RA and other types of inflammatory arthritis increase your risk of heart disease to begin with, so it may be the case that these drugs anti-inflammatory effects reduce the risk in this specific population, though more research is needed.

Whats more, having good control of disease activity in inflammatory arthritis can also help lower your cardiovascular risks. Drugs that help reduce inflammation in the joints, such as disease-modifying medications and biologics may reduce the development and progression of heart disease.

Bottom line: Your heart disease risk from taking NSAIDs will vary based on your own personal heart disease risk factors as well as factors related to the medication. Heart attack risk increases with patients on higher doses for longer periods of time and who have established cardiovascular disease.

This is why doctors want to start patients on the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

Alternative And Complementary Therapies

There are a number of alternative treatments that can be used in place of aspirin and NSAIDs. Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in cold-water fish like salmon and sardines, fish oil supplements and flax seed, interfere with the inflammatory process and are recommended in chronic inflammatory diseases. Hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques can also help in long-term management of pain symptoms. Herbs that can be used against pain and inflammation are borage, evening primrose, ginger, garlic and turmeric.

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What Medications Are Similar

There are other medications similar to Durlaza that are also used to reduce stroke or heart attack risks.

Medications that are similar to Durlaza include:

  • Brilinta
  • Zontivity

Brilinta

Brilinta is also an antiplatelet medicine like Durlaza. Brilinta is usually given together with lower-dose aspirin. It may be a better option for people with kidney problems, as the dose does not need to be adjusted in this group.

Plavix

Clopidogrel is also used to lower the risk of stroke, blood clots, or heart attacks. However, it may not work well if you have genetic factors that affect the breakdown of this drug in your body.

Your healthcare provider may perform a blood test to make sure clopidogrel will work for you. Plavix tablets can be crushed, so they may be a good option for people who have trouble swallowing. It is also a safer choice in pregnancy compared with Durlaza.

Zontivity

You must use Zontivity with either aspirin or clopidogrel. It may not be a good option for those who may be overwhelmed by handling multiple pills.

This is a list of drugs also prescribed to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is NOT a list of drugs recommended to take with Durlaza. In fact, you should not take these drugs together. Ask your pharmacist or a healthcare provider before using other medicines for stroke or heart attack prevention. They may contain ingredients similar to aspirin.

Aspirin For Rheumatoid Arthritis

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OverviewAspirin is an over-the-counter medication used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is sold under the brand name Bayer.

Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug . It is believed that Aspirin helps treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing substances that contribute to inflammation and pain signals.

How do I take it?Take Aspirin according to directions given by your doctor or found on the medication package. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

Aspirin comes as a tablet or caplet.

Side effectsThe FDA-approved label for Aspirin lists common side effects including bleeding, gastrointestinal ulcers, abdominal pain, upset stomach, rash, drowsiness, and nausea.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Bayer RxList

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Which Drugs Or Supplements Interact With Aspirin

Aspirin is associated with several suspected or probable interactions that affect the action of other drugs. The following examples are the most common of the suspected interactions.

NSAIDs may increase the blood levels of lithium by reducing the excretion of lithium by the kidneys. Increased levels of lithium may lead to lithium toxicity.

Aspirin may reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of blood pressure medications. This may occur because prostaglandins have a role in the regulation of blood pressure.

When aspirin is used in combination with methotrexate or aminoglycoside antibiotics the blood levels of the methotrexate or aminoglycoside may increase, presumably because their elimination from the body is reduced. This may lead to more methotrexate or aminoglycoside-related side effects.

Individuals taking oral blood thinners or anticoagulants, for example, warfarin, should avoid aspirin because aspirin also thins the blood, and excessive blood thinning may lead to serious bleeding.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Durlaza

Having a stroke or heart attack can be a scary experience. Sadly, about one in four strokes are in people who have had one before. One in five people who have had a heart attack will be back to the hospital for a second one within five years. Taking medications like Durlaza can help prevent repeat strokes or heart attacks.

Durlaza is taken once daily. If you keep forgetting to take it, consider setting alarms on your phone or calendar. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you might have about the medication.

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How To Use Aspirin For Arthritis Pain Relief In Dogs

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 7,855 times.

Aspirin can help to relieve pain caused by arthritis, but should not be given to dogs with certain conditions. Since aspirin is linked to an increased risk of stomach ulcers and other intestinal complications in dogs, you should only give your dog aspirin if told to do so by your vet.XResearch source In order to treat your dog’s arthritis, it is important to know if your dog should get aspirin, and how much aspirin to give it to maximize pain relief.

Giving Your Dog The Medication

Pros and Cons of Aspirin, Ibuprofen & Acetaminophen
  • 1Give your dog aspirin with food. Giving your dog aspirin with food or immediately after a meal can help decrease the chances of stomach irritation. You can even crush up your dogs aspirin and mix it in with wet food or soft treats.XResearch source
  • Giving your dog aspirin with food helps reduce the chances that the aspirin will come into contact with the stomach lining. This, in turn, helps decrease the risk of an upset stomach, ulcers, and other potential complications.
  • Mixing crushed aspirin with dried food may not be as effective, since the crushed pieces may fall to the bottom of the bowl as debris.
  • 2Mix an aspirin-based headache powder with wet food. Instead of using a tablet, some dog owners find it easier to use an aspirin-based headache powder. This can be mixed directly with wet food so that your dog doesnt even notice the medicine.XResearch source
  • Check with your vet in advance to make sure your intended powder is safe for your dog. Some may contain additives or additional ingredients that your dog shouldnt consume.
  • 3Administer a dose of aspirin every 12 hours. Dogs dont metabolize aspirin like humans do, so they cant take it quite as frequently. For an arthritic dog, you should aim to give them their recommended dose of aspirin every 12 hours.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
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    Getting Proper Medical Help

    Many aspirin ads and commercials make arthritis sound as if it were nothing more than minor aches and pains. The truth is that arthritis can be serious, the pain can be extreme, and it can cause deformity unless a careful treatment program is begun early in the course of the disease. Don’t let advertising lead you to diagnose and treat yourself for arthritis. There is much more to controlling arthritis than getting “wonderful relief.” Arthritis isn’t something to fool around with. If you medicate yourself and stay away from the doctor, your affected joints may suffer damage that can’t be reversed. Take arthritis seriously and get proper medical help.

    Warning Disclaimer Use For Publication

    WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

    DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.

    If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date.

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    What Are The Uses For Aspirin

    Aspirin is used for the treatment of inflammation, fever, and pain that results from many forms of arthritis, including:

    Other side effects and adverse reactions

    • Aspirin should be avoided by patients with peptic ulcer disease or poor kidney function, since this medication can aggravate both conditions.
    • Aspirin may exacerbate asthma.
    • Aspirin can raise the blood uric acid level and is avoided in patients with hyperuricemia and gout.
    • Children and teenagers should avoid aspirin for symptoms of the flu or chickenpox because of the associated risk of Reye’s Syndrome, a serious disease of the liver and nervous system that can lead to coma and death.
    • Aspirin can increase the effect of medicines used to treat diabetes mellitus, resulting in abnormally low blood sugars if blood sugar levels are not monitored.
    • NSAIDs should be discontinued prior to elective surgery because of a mild tendency to interfere with blood clotting. Aspirin, because of its prolonged effect on platelets, is best discontinued at least ten to fourteen days in advance of the procedure.

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