Health Centres - Nu-seals (300mg)
How does it work?
Nu-seals enteric-coated tablets contain the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin. (NB. Aspirin is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)
Aspirin belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking the action of a substance in the body called cyclo-oxygenase.
Cyclo-oxygenase is involved in the production of various chemicals in the body. These are known as prostaglandins, prostacyclins and thromboxane. By blocking the action of cylo-oxygenase, aspirin prevents the production of these chemicals.
High doses of aspirin (300mg and over) prevent the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury or certain diseases and would otherwise go on to cause pain, swelling and inflammation. Hence a 300mg dose of aspirin is seen as a pain-relieving dose. Nu-seals 300mg tablets are used to relieve pain and inflammation. The tablets have a special enteric coating that is designed to stop the aspirin from irritating the stomach. However, because this coating doesn't dissolve until the tablet reaches the small intestine, the absorption of the aspirin into the bloodstream is delayed. This means that Nu-seals tablets don't act quickly enough for the short-term relief of pain. Instead they are prescribed for people who are taking aspirin regularly, for example for arthritis.
Aspirin in low doses, eg 75-100mg, does not have an anti-inflammatory effect and is used instead as an anti-clotting or blood-thinning agent. Low doses of aspirin prevent the production of thromboxane by blood cells called platelets. Thromboxane is one of the chemicals that causes platelets to clump together and start off the clotting process. Stopping its production therefore reduces the likelihood of clots forming in the blood. Clots in the blood can cause a heart attack or stroke, and low dose aspirin is therefore used to prevent this in people who are at risk. See the factsheets linked below for more information about this use of aspirin.
Aspirin is also used in the emergency situation of a heart attack. Anyone who has the symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain, possibly radiating towards the arm or neck, shortness of breath) should take one 300mg aspirin tablet as soon as possible, as this has been shown to increase the chances of surviving a heart attack. This is because the aspirin prevents the blood clot that is blocking the supply of blood to the heart from growing any bigger. The tablet can be crushed under the tongue for faster absorption into the bloodstream, as the area under the tongue is very rich in blood vessels.
What is it used for?
- Relieving pain and inflammation of rheumatic conditions such as arthritis
- To improve survival in emergency situation of a heart attack
Warning!
- Children under 16 years of age should not take aspirin, unless on the advice of a doctor. This is because aspirin use in children has been associated with a rare condition called Reye's syndrome. This condition affects the brain and liver and though extremely rare, can be fatal. The causes of Reye's syndrome are not fully understood, but use of aspirin to treat fever in children with a virus has been implicated. There are many paracetamol and ibuprofen products not associated with Reye's syndrome available to treat pain and fever in this age group. For more advice talk to your pharmacist.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine, which will be stated in the product packaging or information leaflet supplied with the medicine.
Use with caution in
- Elderly people
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Dehydration
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Asthma
-
History of allergies
Not to be used in
- Children and adolescents under 16 years of age, unless on the advice of a doctor
- Bleeding disorders such as haemophilia
-
Gout
- People in whom aspirin or other NSAIDs, eg ibuprofen, cause allergic reactions such as asthma attacks, itchy rash (urticaria), nasal inflammation (rhinitis) or swelling of the lips, tongue and throat (angioedema)
-
Peptic ulcer or a history of this
-
Third trimester of pregnancy
-
Breastfeeding
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should be avoided in the third trimester of pregnancy, as it may affect the growth and development of the foetus or have harmful effects on foetal tissues. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine during any stage of pregnancy.
- Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers as it may be harmful to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication.
- This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.
- This medication contains aspirin.
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