Many take it “thinking that it is harmless”.
Everyone knows him but no one is wary of it enough. According to the emergency room François-Xavier Moronval, it is the drug that sends the most people to the emergency room. Analgic, it is used to relieve everyday pain such as headaches, dental, joint pain, painful rules. It is also indicated in the event of fever, in certain rheumatic conditions (polyarthritis, inflammatory rheumatism …) and after a infarction or a stroke. Its immense popularity, coupled with its accessibility, explains the large number of accidents linked to its self -medication.
This treatment is sold without prescription and many take it “Without medical advice, thinking that he is harmless”. However, his interactions with other drugs are numerous as well as his contraindications. This medication should not be taken with anticoagulant treatments or platelet anti -gergists (clopidogrel, tichopidine …) because the risk of digestive or cerebral hemorrhage is increased. Nor should it be taken with anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or corticosteroids because it can trigger ulcers and bleeding. It can also cause allergic reactions “Sometimes serious”specifies the expert. In children, alert signs are “Consciousness disorders, persistent vomiting after a fever and taking medication” Details Dr. Moronval.
This potentially very dangerous drug is acetylsalicylic acid better known as aspirin. It is a drug long perceived as “routine treatment” which should no longer be considered. As a reminder, aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and an anti-aggregation platelet. It is not a “simple” painkiller as is paracetamol. Its risks are larger. It should only be used on advice from a doctor and respecting the dosage to the letter, “Maximum 3 g per day in adults, spaced at least 4 hours” spacedrecalls our interlocutor.
Self -medication must remain short -lived. Never associate it with other drugs and do not give it to children or adolescents without medical advice. It is advisable to take it during the meal to protect the stomach. If abdominal pain, bloody vomiting, black stool, unusual bleeding or headache with dizziness occur after taking aspirin, it must be immediately stopped and consult a doctor.
Thank you to Dr François-Xavier Moronval, emergency doctor, author of “emergency profession” (ed.stock) and creator of the YouTube channel “Doc Fx”.
