SALICYLATES
WARNING

.
SALICYLATES
Warnings.
Important Information You Need To Be Aware Of Prior to Using
Salicylates such as Aspirin, Anacin, Bufferin, etc.
FDA ANNOUNCES NEW ALCOHOL WARNINGS FOR PAIN
RELIEVERS AND FEVER REDUCERS |
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Aspirin warning to asthmatics:
More
asthma patients are at
risk of having an attack after taking aspirin than previously thought,
doctors warn |
2004/02/20
They say one in five people with the condition are at risk of having a
severe reaction to the drug - twice as many as had been estimated.
But the researchers, writing in the British Medical Journal, say many
patients are unaware of the risk.
They warn other NSAIDs - non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-
including ibuprofen, can also cause an attack.
UK and Australian researchers looked at 21 studies of asthmatic
patients, and found 21% of adults and 5% of children experienced a
reaction to aspirin, which is also found in many headache and cold
remedies.
"It is essential that both family doctors and the public are aware of
this risk"; Dr Simon Fradd, Developing Patient Partnerships.
Around 10 million people are estimated to have asthma in the UK,
meaning around two million could be sensitive to aspirin and be at risk
of suffering a potentially life-threatening reaction to aspirin. They
said many would also be sensitive to the other NSAIDs.
The researchers said the growing trend for patients to buy
over-the-counter painkillers meant it was important to raise awareness
of the potential risks for asthmatics.
They called for warnings to be added to packaging for painkillers to
warn asthmatics of the dangers.
They also advised patients to choose paracetamol after finding only 7%
of adult asthma patients were sensitive to it.
Dr John Costello, clinical director of medicine at King's College
Hospital in London, told BBC News Online warnings on aspirin and NSAID
packets would help asthmatics. "There are lots of companies who make
these compounds and I think it would take legislation to get warning
labels put on packets so people are aware that if they have asthma and
are sensitive to aspirin they should not take it."
He added doctors also had to be more aware aspirin could trigger
asthma, and should advise patients accordingly. "It may be that people
go to the doctor and say their asthma has been playing up but the
doctors are not asking the right questions about what they have been
doing which might have triggered it. "They need to think about asking
whether the patient has taken aspirin and if it may have provoked their
symptoms."
A spokeswoman for the National Asthma Campaign said most people with
asthma could take painkillers safely. But she added some people may
have adverse reactions. "Just one tablet of aspirin may bring a severe,
life-threatening attack of asthma."
She added: "When buying medicines such as cold relievers from a shop
with no pharmacist, check if aspirin is listed in the small print on
the back of the packet.
Dr Simon Fradd, chairman of the charity Developing Patient
Partnerships, said the association between asthma and taking aspirin
was well known. But he added: "This paper makes it clear that that
association is much wider, including all non steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. "It is essential that both family doctors and
the public are aware of this risk."
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Painkillers 'cause kidney
damage': |
Taking too many
painkillers can damage some people's kidneys permanently, scientists
claim.
2003/11/23 Overuse was defined as taking
two doses of full strength aspirin or extra strong paracetamol every
day.
The risk only affects people who are susceptible - most people,
including cardiovascular patients taking small doses of aspirin - are
not at risk. But doctors told the American Society of Nephrology they
had no way of spotting the few who are at risk.
There is some anxiety that if large doses can cause disease in many
subjects, lower doses may cause it in a few subjects National Kidney
Research Fund spokeswoman
The researchers found that heavy use of aspirin or paracetamol -
defined as 300 grams a year - was linked to a condition known as small,
indented and calcified kidneys (SICK). The condition was detected in
patients with irreversible kidney failure by carrying out computed
tomography (CT) scans.
Changes in the kidneys
Over 200 patients treated for kidney failure across
the US were scanned for SICK and asked about their use of painkillers.
Seven per cent were found to have SICK, and a third of those patients
had overused analgesics.
Scientists from the National Analgesic Nephropathy Study said: "We
conclude that heavy use of analgesics at least nine years prior to the
development of irreversible kidney failure is associated with the
anatomic changes of small, indented and calcified kidneys."
Dr Vardaman Buckalew, a kidney specialist at Wake Forest University
Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina said: "If a patient does have
SICK, there is an increased likelihood of analgesic abuse."
He added: "We think just some individuals are susceptible, But there is
no way yet to figure out which individuals are susceptible and which
aren't."
A spokeswoman for the National Kidney Research Fund told BBC News
Online: "Large doses of some analgesics, including aspirin and
paracetamol, may depress kidney function in patients who already have
kidney disease.
She added: "Extremely large doses of aspirin and paracetamol can cause
acute renal failure, usually when taken as a suicide attempt.
"And there is some anxiety that if large doses can cause disease in
many subjects, lower doses may cause it in a few subjects.
"The advice is don't take analgesics unless you really need them, take
single drugs such as aspirin and paracetamol, carefully study the
instructions - and if you have any kidney disease, seek medical advice
before taking analgesics."
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Stiffer Aspirin Warning
Asked: |
The Food and Drug
Administration today proposed stronger warning labels on the pain
relievers aspirin and acetaminophen.
November 18, 1988
The Food and Drug Administration today proposed
stronger warning labels on the pain relievers aspirin and
acetaminophen.
The label for aspirin would warn that its use in the last three months
of pregnancy could cause bleeding.
Warnings for acetaminophen products such as Tylenol and Anacin-3 would
point out the need for prompt medical attention in case of an overdose,
even if there were no immediate symptoms, such as ringing in the ears.
The drug agency said it would take at least two and a half years to
issue a final order on the warning labels because of the time needed to
review comments and data submitted by the drug companies. However, the
manufacturers can add the warnings on their own.
The F.D.A. said the additional warning on aspirin was recommended by a
committee of outside experts reviewing non-prescription pain relievers
for the agency. The committee said there was evidence that the use of
aspirin in the last three months of pregnancy could prolong labor and
alter bleeding and clotting time in the mother and baby.
Labels on aspirin and other pain reliever now state, ''As with any
other drug, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby seek the advice of a
health professional before using this product.''
The proposed addition to aspirin labels would say, ''Important: Do not
take this product during the last three months of pregnancy unless
directed by a doctor. Aspirin taken near the time of delivery may cause
bleeding problems in both mother and child.''
The current acetaminophen warning reads, ''In case of accidental
overdose, contact a physician immediately.''
The proposal would add, ''Prompt medical attention is critical for
adults as well as for children, even if you do not notice any signs or
symptoms.''
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