Clinicians' Guide to Aspirin

This volume critically reviews the accumulated evidence of the 20th century on the clinical pros and cons of aspirin and discusses its relevance to everyday clinical situations. One of the topics to be addressed includes: does aspirin have a role in primary illness prevention?

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Nearly 100 years afters its introduction, the therapeutic potential of aspirin continues to be explored. Its easy availability as the most common household analgesic and antirheumatic may sometimes lead to its true usefulness being underrated. The role of low-dose aspirin in the treatment and prophylaxis of vascular disease is increasingly important and its value in the prevention of cancer, cataract, dementia and preeclampsia of pregnancy is being actively investigated.



Yet despite remarkable efficacy across a wide range of conditions, asprin also has potential for serious toxicity. Concern about a possible relationship with Reye's syndrome has limited its use in children and salicylate hypersensitivity, intoxication and poisoning, and gastrointestinal side-effects are all common clinical problems.



This book will critically review the accumulated evidence of the last century and discusses its relevance to everyday clinical situations. Topics addressed include: does aspirin have a role in primary health prevention; how may aspirin be best used for secondary prevention of vascular disease; when is aspirin the analgesic/antipyretic of choice; does aspirin still have a place in management of inflammatory disease; how common is aspirin hypersensitivity and how does it manifest; are some aspirin preparations better tolerated than others; what new clinical indications may there be for aspirin in the future?