Acetylsalicylic acid, or simply "Aspirin", is the drug that is absolutely in every medicine cabinet. It was used for treatment even by our grandmothers and parents.
Let's take a closer look at the information about the drug. In addition, we will find out whether it is possible to give "Aspirin" to a child from the age of one and whether the drug has side effects.
When is Aspirin used
The drug has a fairly wide spectrum of action and can be used:
- to reduce high temperature;
- to eliminate pain of mild to moderate intensity (headache, toothache, during menstruation, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and so on);
- during the treatment of rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic chorea, pericarditis).
In addition, the drug is used to prevent embolism, thrombosis, stroke, myocardial infarction and the formation of stable tolerance to NSAIDs in patients who suffer fromaspirin asthma.
Instructions for using the drug for adults
The dosage of the drug for adults depends on the type of disease and can vary from 40 mg to 1 g per day. At the same time, it is divided into several tricks - from 2 to 6.
Typically, the average doses of the drug are as follows:
- When a migraine attack, you can take 1 g of the drug no more than 3 times a day.
- For the treatment and prevention of stroke, the dose will depend on the indication and may range from 125 to 300 mg per day.
- At high temperature, for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and the elimination of pain - up to 3 g per day. A single dose should not exceed 0.5-1 g.
- If the drug is used to prevent myocardial infarction, its daily dose is in the range of 300-325 mg. As a rule, it is divided into three steps.
There are also special instructions for taking such a medication as "Aspirin" (including children). For example, it should be used after meals to reduce the negative effects of acid on the digestive tract. In addition, the tablets should be taken with plenty of warm liquid or milk. Soda solution or alkaline mineral water is also great. But juices and other acidic drinks should still be avoided.
"Aspirin" can be used no more than three days in a row. If there is a need for longer use, you should consult your doctor.
Dose of drug for children
Many mothers are interested in the question of whether "Aspirin" is allowed for children. The instruction to the drug contains information on the permissible daily doses of the drug for a child. At the same time, the manufacturer warns that the medication is strictly forbidden to be used in childhood to eliminate the temperature that arose against the background of a cold or an acute respiratory viral infection.
So, how to give the baby "Aspirin"? Instructions for use (children are often prescribed the drug) highlights the following points:
- at the age of 2-3 years - no more than 100 mg per day;
- aged 4-6 years - maximum 200 mg per day;
- aged 7-9 years - maximum 300 mg per day;
- At the age of 12 years, a single dose is 250 mg (this is half a tablet), and the maximum is up to 750 mg per day.
Is it always in such portions that "Aspirin" is taken? The dosage for children described above is calculated on the average baby. Otherwise, it can be adjusted based on the weight of the child. The maximum dose of the drug in this case is 30 mg per kilogram of weight.
As you can see, if you follow the instructions, the answer to the question of whether a child can take Aspirin in a year will definitely be negative. The manufacturer allows the use of the drug only from the age of two. Although modern pediatricians have a very different opinion on this matter.
What do the experts say?
A few decades ago"Aspirin" has been used to reduce fever in both adults and toddlers. But studies have shown that the drug should not be used to treat patients under the age of 14 years. Otherwise, it can cause very sad consequences.
Why is Aspirin banned for children?
As we have already understood, experts do not recommend giving "Aspirin" to a child under 14 years old. It remains only to find out what it is connected with.
The fact is that this drug acts on the children's body too aggressively. Ultimately, this threatens to cause such a serious complication as Reye's syndrome. This condition is characterized by damage to the brain by toxins, as well as the development of kidney and liver failure. As a result, the patient's state of he alth becomes extremely severe, which can lead to death. And although the likelihood of this syndrome is quite low, parents should still play it safe and not give Aspirin to children younger than the above age.
Other side effects
In addition to the aforementioned Reye's syndrome, "Aspirin" can cause some other side effects. At the same time, the probability of their occurrence remains quite high.
First of all, this is the occurrence of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and allergic reactions.
In addition, "Aspirin" can provoke the appearance of ulcerative lesions and bleeding in the digestive tract.
Reviews on taking "Aspirin" in childhood
Despite all the warnings of experts, many mothers still give Aspirin to their children. Reviews about taking the drug are quite diverse. While some do not see anything wrong with its use and bring down the temperature in babies with this very tool, others are categorically against it.
Those who used Aspirin to treat their child say that the drug helped to get rid of the fever very quickly, and the achieved effect persisted for a long time. Although there are situations when negative points can still be found in the reviews. Although very rare, but still in some cases, the remedy caused dangerous side effects, starting with poisoning of the body, which manifested itself in the form of severe vomiting, and ending in death.
Summing up
As you can see, at first glance, the harmless drug "Aspirin" is still undesirable for children under 14 years of age. Otherwise, parents will unwittingly become participants in a kind of "roulette", which can both help the child cope with the disease quickly and complicate the situation much more. Therefore, before using it is still necessary to think: is this risk justified? After all, despite the fact that the chances of Reye's syndrome and other side effects are not so great, they still exist.
In addition, today there are many otherdrugs that were developed specifically for children and are allowed from the age of three months. Such products are made on the basis of paracetamol or ibuprofen, which more accurately affect the body of the crumbs.
In cases where the use of "Aspirin" still cannot be avoided, treatment should be carried out under the constant supervision of an experienced pediatrician. After all, only a specialist will be able to notice the appearance of negative changes in a timely manner and will not allow their further development.
