Bangla Health Tips

Aspirin is a salicylate (sa-LIS-il-ate). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation.

Aspirin is used to treat pain, and reduce fever or inflammation. It is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina).

Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor.

Important information

You should not use aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia, a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you are allergic to an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.

 Cholesterol. Get Your Fats Straight!

SLIDESHOW

Cholesterol. Get Your Fats Straight!

Do not give this medication to a child or teenager with a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox. Salicylates can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.

Before taking this medicine

Do not give this medicine to a child or teenager with a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox. Aspirin can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition in children.

You should not use aspirin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;

a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia; or

if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Orudis, Indocin, Lodine, Voltaren, Toradol, Mobic, Relafen, Feldene, and others.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

asthma or seasonal allergies;

stomach ulcers;

liver disease;

kidney disease;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;

gout; or

heart disease, high blood pressure, or congestive heart failure.

Taking aspirin during late pregnancy may cause bleeding in the mother or the baby during delivery. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Aspirin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take aspirin?

Take aspirin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take with food if aspirin upsets your stomach.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an enteric-coated or delayed-release pill. Swallow it whole.

The chewable tablet form must be chewed before swallowing.

If you use the orally disintegrating tablet or the dispersible tablet, follow all dosing instructions provided with your medicine.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using it for a short time.

Do not take this medicine if you smell a strong vinegar odor in the bottle. The medicine may no longer be effective.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since aspirin is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include temporary hearing loss, seizure (convulsions), or coma.

What should I avoid while taking aspirin?

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking aspirin. Alcohol may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

If you are taking this medicine to prevent heart attack or stroke, avoid also taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen may make this medicine less effective. If you must use both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin (non-enteric coated form).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any cold, allergy, or pain medication. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or an NSAID. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medication. Check the label to see if a medicine contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, or an NSAID.

Aspirin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to aspirin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

ringing in your ears, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizure (convulsions);

severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

fever lasting longer than 3 days; or

swelling, or pain lasting longer than 10 days.

Common aspirin side effects may include:

upset stomach, heartburn;

drowsiness; or

mild headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect aspirin?

Ask your doctor before using aspirin if you take an antidepressant such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone. Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use aspirin if you are also using any of the following drugs:

a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), or other medication used to prevent blood clots; or

other salicylates such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with aspirin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression.

Amitriptyline is used to treat symptoms of depression.

Amitriptyline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use this medicine if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use amitriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Before taking amitriptyline, tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

 Top 11 Truths About Narcotic Painkiller Meds

SLIDESHOW

Top 11 Truths About Narcotic Painkiller Meds

You may have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant such as amitriptyline, especially if you are younger than 24 years old. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits for at least the first 12 weeks of treatment.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amitriptyline, or:

if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not use amitriptyline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

To make sure amitriptyline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

bipolar disorder (manic-depression) or schizophrenia;

a history of mental illness or psychosis;

liver disease;

heart disease;

a history of heart attack, stroke, or seizures;

diabetes (amitriptyline may raise or lower blood sugar);

glaucoma; or

problems with urination.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

It is not known whether amitriptyline will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Amitriptyline can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using amitriptyline.

Amitriptyline is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

How should I take amitriptyline?

Take amitriptyline exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using amitriptyline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using amitriptyline suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using amitriptyline.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Amitriptyline dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Outpatients:

Usual dose: 75 mg orally per day in divided doses; this may be increased to a total of 150 mg per day if needed

Alternate dose: 40 to 100 mg orally as a single dose at bedtime; this may be increased by 25 or 50 mg as needed at bedtime to a total of 150 mg per day

Maximum dose: 150 mg orally per day

Inpatients:

Initial dose: 100 mg orally per day

Maintenance dose: 40 to 100 mg orally as a single dose at bedtime

Maximum dose: 300 mg orally per day

Comments:

-Dosage should be reduced to the lowest amount that will maintain relief of symptoms, when satisfactory improvement has been obtained.

-Dose increases should preferably be made in the late afternoon or at bedtime due to the sedative effect.

-The full therapeutic effect may take as long as 30 days to develop.

-Maintenance therapy should be continued for 3 months or longer to lessen the possibility of relapse.

Use: Relief of symptoms of depression

Usual Geriatric Dose for Depression:

10 mg orally 3 times a day with 20 mg at bedtime

Comments:

-The full therapeutic effect may take as long as 30 days to develop.

-Elderly patients should be monitored carefully and serum levels obtained as clinically appropriate.

-Dose adjustments should be made according to clinical response.

Use: Relief of symptoms of depression

Usual Pediatric Dose for Depression:

12 years or older:

10 mg orally 3 times a day with 20 mg at bedtime

Use: Relief of symptoms of depression

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of amitriptyline can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, confusion, agitation, vomiting, hallucinations, feeling hot or cold, muscle stiffness, seizure (convulsions), or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking amitriptyline?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with amitriptyline.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Amitriptyline can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Amitriptyline side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to amitriptyline: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

unusual thoughts or behavior;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

confusion, hallucinations;

a seizure (convulsions);

painful or difficult urination;

severe constipation;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding; or

sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing.

Common amitriptyline side effects may include:

constipation, diarrhea;

nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

mouth pain, unusual taste, black tongue;

appetite or weight changes;

urinating less than usual;

itching or rash;

breast swelling (in men or women); or

decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect amitriptyline?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking amitriptyline with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor if you have used an "SSRI" antidepressant in the past 5 weeks, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, or vilazodone.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

other antidepressants;

cimetidine;

heart rhythm medicine such as flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, and others; or

medicine to treat mental illness.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with amitriptyline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.