taken to avoid addiction when long-term treatment is necessary. The patient and family must be thoroughly educated on the possible side effects and warning signs of overdose or addiction to avoid complications when using morphine. Morphine should not be taken by pregnant mothers because it may lead to fetal distress syndrome in the newborn. Since morphine may be excreted in milk, it should not be taken by nursing mothers.
Aspirin is prescribed for a number of conditions: relief of chronic pain or inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and Reiter=s syndrome; for antiplatelet activity in patients with unstable angina pectoris, or to prevent myocardial infarction; and to reduce the risk of transient ischemic attacks or strokes.
The bioavailability of aspirin depends on the dosage form, the presence of food, gastric emptying time, gastric pH, and the presence of antacids and buffering agents. Aspirin is mainly hydrolyzed to salicylic acid and distributed to all body tissues and fluids, including fetal tissues, breast milk, and the central nervous system. In plasma, 60 percent to 80 percent of the salicylic acid is bound to plasma protein. The plasma half life of aspirin is about 12 minutes, and of salicylic acid and salicylates, about three hours. Aspirin and its metabolites are excreted through the kidneys. Biotransformation of aspirin takes place primarily in the hepatocytes.
Aspirin should not be used in the last three months of pregnancy because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery. It should not be used by children or teenagers because of the danger of developing Reye=s syndrome. It should be used with caution in patients with stomach, kidney, or bleeding disorders. It should not be prescribed for patients taking anticoagulants, or drugs for diabetes, gout, or arthritis, or tetracycline antibiot...