Is There Aspirin in Aleve [posted 10/15/98]
Question: Is Aspirin a part of the ingredients of the painkiller Aleve? Thank you.

Answer: No. But, it has many of the same properties. Aspirin is a permanent platelet inhibitor, Aleve is not. Other than that they're similar medications(aspirin need to be taken about 8-12 a day to achieve aleve's antiinflammatory effect.)

Aspirin & Tylenol Dangers [posted 10/13/98]
Question: I have heard from different sources about Tylenol, are their any dangers of the drug causing kidney troubles. would like any info on the drug .

Answer: Any analgesia-aspirin, acetaminophen, nsaids will cause decreased renal function if taken long term. This usually means 6 or more a day for at least 10 years. Smaller doses for shorter times may have an effect;but, too difficult to measure currently.

Entero-coated Aspirin Poisoning [posted 7/24/98]
Question: I am a Family Medicine resident trying to find out information about E-coated aspirin poisoning. I would be very thankful if you can help me with some references or if possible a publication about this subject.

Answer: Enteric aspirin toxicity does not differ markedly from non-coated aspirin toxicity. Review the section of your internal medicine text on aspirin toxicity. There is no difference.

Aspirin Side Effects
Question: My mother has recently suffered a stroke and has now been released from hospital. She has been prescribed Aspirin, which we suspect that she is allergic to. She develops "Chicken Pox Like" irritations. Can you suggest an alternative drug which will suffice?

Answer: Aspirin is used to inhibit the effect of the platelets. Platelets are the blood component that is one of the steps necessary for clotting. Aspirin will permanently inhibit the ability of platelets to function. Small doses are all that is necessary-on the order of 80-325mg a day. The risk of aspirin is bleeding. This is usually from formation of ulcers or by inflamming the lining of the stomach; however, inhibiting platelets can cause bleeding from many sites in some individuals. Other non-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrugs (NSAIDS) also have this effect. However, they work only as long as they are present in the blood-not permanently. Consequently, since they also have the same risk as aspirin concerning bleeding they are rarely used. An old standby-but one that is minimally effective(some think not ellective) is Persantine(dipyridamole). This drug is usually taken three times a day and is only effective when present. It is mildly expensive and its ability to inhibit is debatable at best. Lastly, there are some newer agents. Ticlid(ticlopidine) is now clinically available. This drug is very expensive and must be monitored closely for some of its potential side effects-especially liver and white blood cells. There may soon be drugs derived from leeches-similar to hirudin which may be clinically available.

Aspirin vs Phenacetin
Question: What (if any) are the advantages of taking aspirin rather than phenacetin? I am unclear on the differences between the two.

Answer: Phenacetin got labeled as being renal toxic;hence, removed from many medications. Aspirin is structurally different and affects the platelets differently. However, this renal toxicity appears to be the reason for the drug being rarely used.
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