Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)
INDICATIONS: Treatment of mild to moderate pain, fever.
Reduces inflammation related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatic fever.
Prevention of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), cerebral thromboembolism, Myocardial Infarction
OFF-LABEL: Prevention of pre-eclampsia
ACTION: Inhibits cyclo-oxygenase enzyme. Inhibits formation of prostaglandin. Inhibits platelet aggregation.
INTERACTIONS
DRUG: Alcohol, NSAIDs may increase risk of ulceration). Antacids, urinary alkalinizers increase excretion. Anticoagulants, heparin, thrombolytics, rivaroxaban, ticagrelor increase risk of bleeding.
HERBAL: Avoid cat’s claw, dong quai, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, green tea, horse chestnut, red clover (possess antiplatelet activity).
LAB VALUES: May alter serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid; prolongs prothrombin time (PT), May decrease cholesterol, T3, T4, potassium.
SIDE EFFECTS: Occasional: GI distress (including abdominal distention, cramping, heartburn mild nausea); allergic reaction (including bronchospasm, pruritus, urticaria).
ADVERSE EFFECTS/TOXIC REACTIONS
High doses of aspirin may produce GI bleeding and/or gastric mucosal lesions.
Dehydrated, febrile children may experience aspirin toxicity quickly. Reye’s syndrome, characterized by persistent vomiting, signs of brain dysfunction, may occur in children taking aspirin with recent viral infection (chickenpox, common cold, or flu).
Low-grade aspirin toxicity characterized by tinnitus, generalized pruritus (may be severe), headache, dizziness, flushing, tachycardia, hyperventilation, diaphoresis, thirst.
Marked toxicity characterized by hyperthermia, restlessness, seizures, abnormal breathing.
TCM Chapter 1a – Exterior releasing medicinals
Enters: BL, LU, HT, LV, GB
Temperature: warm
Taste: pungent, sour
Action: Release Exterior, vent rashes, warm Blood, move Blood, soothe sinews
Indications: Exterior Wind-Cold invasion, headache d/t Wind-Cold, myalgia or arthralgia d/t Wind-Cold trapped in the Shao Yang, Blood stasis d/t Blood cold.
Tongue: pink, dusky.
Pulse: tight, floating
Rationale: Its pungent taste opens pores releasing the exterior. Its outward motion vents out rushes. It expels Wind-Cold from Wei levels. Sour taste soothes sinews so relieving tendon pain. If used for Warm Pathogen invasion may cause violent penetration of Wind-heat into the Ying level.
Caution: In patients with preexisting Wei Qi and Yin deficiency, it may cause heartburn.
Note: excessive use may deplete Wei Qi via its dispersing action, and with prolonged use, warm properties may damage Stomach Yin
Modifications: To counteract Aspirin’s warm properties for Wind-heat invasion, add Bo He.
In case of severely deficient Wei Qi and to contain sweating, add Huang Qi.
For long-term use to protect the stomach Yin add Shi Hu
Copyright ©2016 by Galina V. Roofener. All rights reserved.
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