Ecotrin (Aspirin Enteric Coated) - Summary

ECOTRIN SUMMARY

Ecotrin enteric coated aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) tablets available in 81mg, 325mg and 500 mg tablets for oral administration.

Vascular Indications (Ischemic Stroke, TIA, Acute MI, Prevention of Recurrent MI, Unstable Angina Pectoris, and Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris): Aspirin is indicated to: (1) Reduce the combined risk of death and nonfatal stroke in patients who have had ischemic stroke or transient ischemia of the brain due to fibrin platelet emboli, (2) reduce the risk of vascular mortality in patients with a suspected acute MI, (3) reduce the combined risk of death and nonfatal MI in patients with a previous MI or unstable angina pectoris, and (4) reduce the combined risk of MI and sudden death in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris.

Revascularization Procedures (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), and Carotid Endarterectomy): Aspirin is indicated in patients who have undergone revascularization procedures (i.e., CABG, PTCA, or carotid endarterectomy) when there is a preexisting condition for which aspirin is already indicated.

Rheumatologic Disease Indications (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthropathies, Osteoarthritis, and the Arthritis and Pleurisy of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)): Aspirin is indicated for the relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, spondyloarthropathies, and arthritis and pleurisy associated with SLE.

See all indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Ecotrin (Aspirin)

Use Of Low Dose Aspirin To Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease Should Be Abandoned
Source: Stroke News From Medical News Today [2009.11.03]
The latest issue of the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin (DTB) reports that the use of low-dose aspirin to protect against heart attacks and strokes in individuals yet to develop obvious cardiovascular disease, should be abandoned. Low-dose aspirin is widely used to prevent further episodes of cardiovascular disease in people who have already had problems such as a heart attack or stroke. This approach is known as secondary prevention.

What Is Aspirin? What Is Aspirin For?
Source: Headache / Migraine News From Medical News Today [2009.08.20]
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a salicylate drug, and is generally used as an analgesic (something that relieves pain without producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness) for minor aches and pains, to reduce fever (an antipyretic), and also as an anti-inflammatory drug. Aspirin has also become increasingly popular as an antiplatelet - used to prevent blood clot formation - in long-term low doses to prevent heart attacks and strokes in high risk patients.

Gout & Aspirin
Source: MedicineNet Gout Specialty [2009.08.20]
Title: Gout & Aspirin
Category: Doctor's Views
Created: 10/1/2000
Last Editorial Review: 8/20/2009

Aspirin May Help Treat Colon Cancer
Source: MedicineNet Colon Polyps Specialty [2009.08.12]
Title: Aspirin May Help Treat Colon Cancer
Category: Health News
Created: 8/12/2009
Last Editorial Review: 8/12/2009

Drug Limits Stomach Trouble in Patients Taking Low-Dose Aspirin
Source: MedicineNet Peptic Ulcer Specialty [2009.07.07]
Title: Drug Limits Stomach Trouble in Patients Taking Low-Dose Aspirin
Category: Health News
Created: 7/7/2009 7:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/7/2009

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Published Studies Related to Ecotrin (Aspirin)

Low-Dose Aspirin and Medical Record-Confirmed Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Randomized Trial of Women. [2009.10.06]
OBJECTIVE: To test whether alternate-day low-dose aspirin affects incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a large-scale randomized trial of women... CONCLUSIONS: In a large-scale randomized trial of female health professionals with 10 years of treatment and follow-up, low-dose aspirin had no large beneficial or harmful effect on risk of AMD. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Time-Dependent Effects of Low-Dose Aspirin on Plasma Renin Activity, Aldosterone, Cortisol, and Catecholamines. [2009.10.05]
Studies have shown that aspirin may decrease blood pressure when given at bedtime but not when administered on awakening. However, until now, a biologically plausible mechanism of this striking phenomenon was not revealed... Decreased activity of these pressor systems forms a biologically plausible explanation for the finding that aspirin at night may reduce blood pressure, whereas aspirin at morning does not.

Randomized controlled trial of aspirin and clopidogrel versus aspirin and placebo on markers of smooth muscle proliferation before and after peripheral angioplasty. [2009.10]
OBJECTIVE: In peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients, a limiting factor in the success of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the development of restenosis secondary to vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Following endothelial damage and platelet activation, there is release of factors and adhesion molecules which affect SMC proliferation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of combination antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel and aspirin compared with aspirin and placebo) on the ability of plasma from PAD patients undergoing PTA to stimulate SMCs in vitro. We further aimed to investigate the effect of combination treatment on the levels of circulating adhesion molecules and factors, which are known to mediate SMC proliferation in experimental models... CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show in-vitro ERK 1/2 activation (a surrogate marker of SMC proliferation) increases post-PTA. Combination antiplatelet therapy had no significant effect on this, although it did reduce PDGF. Further work is required to evaluate potential therapeutic treatments, which may reduce peripheral PTA-induced smooth muscle cell activation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: High rates of restenosis remain the major limitation of peripheral arterial angioplasty and stenting.The restenotic lesion occurs secondary to platelet activation, released circulating factors, and subsequent smooth musclecell proliferation and migration into the intima. Methods to limit the restenotic lesion are poorly understood. This paperinvestigates the effect of PTA on smooth muscle cell activation and the release of factors in plasma which mediate SMCproliferation. It also examines the effect of combination antiplatelet therapy as a potential therapeutic strategy.

Platelet inhibitory effects of OTC doses of naproxen sodium compared with prescription dose naproxen sodium and low-dose aspirin. [2009.10]
CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that OTC doses of NAPSO (220 mg two or three times daily) have an antiplatelet effect similar to EC-ASA 81 mg and to prescription dose NAPSO (550 mg twice daily).

Lower incidence of hypertensive complications during pregnancy in patients treated with low-dose aspirin during in vitro fertilization and early pregnancy. [2009.10]
BACKGROUND: The use of aspirin during in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been investigated for its effect on pregnancy rates after IVF. In most of these studies, aspirin administration was then prolonged throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. By inhibiting vasoconstriction, the use of low-dose aspirin in the first trimester could influence placentation and therefore prevent or delay development of hypertensive pregnancy complications, such as pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and pre-eclampsia (PE)... CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hypertensive complications was significantly lower in the group of women treated with low-dose aspirin throughout IVF treatment and first trimester of pregnancy. These results suggest a potential benefit of low-dose aspirin during IVF and first trimester to prevent hypertensive pregnancy complications. The findings justify further investigation in placebo-controlled randomized trials.

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Clinical Trials Related to Ecotrin (Aspirin)

Evaluate Relative Bioavailability of PA32540 (Asa/Omeprazole), Its Aspirin Component, and Ecotrin® in Healthy Volunteers [Completed]
Study to determine a single dose bioavailablity of PA32540 is similar to EC aspirin 325 mg with respect to salicylic acid.

Modified-Release Dipyridamole/Aspirin (200mg/25mg bd) Versus Aspirin (75mg) in Aspirin-Resistant Patients [Completed]
The primary objective of this study is to assess whether adding modified-release dipyridamole to aspirin (Asasantin Retard) has measurable effects on markers of platelet function (for example, platelet aggregation) in patients with cardiovascular disease who are known to be resistant to aspirin alone.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin and Aspirin in the Treatment of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A RCT [Terminated]
To compare the livebirth rate of women with recurrent pregnancy loss and autoantibodies randomized to either low molecular weight heparin plus aspirin versus aspirin alone.

Danish Aspirin Resistance Trial - Pilot Study [Completed]
Despite treatment with aspirin a large number of patients suffer a myocardial infarction. It has been speculated that these patients might be "resistant" to aspirin, and studies have indicated that this phenomenon is related to a less favourable prognosis. At present, no international consensus exists on how to measure "aspirin resistance". The purpose of this study is to compare different methods for detecting "aspirin resistance". A classic but cumbersome way of evaluating platelet function will be compared to newer, easy-handling point-of-care tests. We hypothesize that one or more point-of-care tests will prove to be superior to the classic platelet function test in detecting aspirin resistance.

Japanese Primary Prevention of Atherosclerosis With Aspirin for Diabetes (JPAD) Trial [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of low-dose aspirin for the primary prevention of vascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan.

more trials >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Ecotrin review by 45 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		headache
Dosage & duration:		325 mg taken once for the period of 1 day
Other conditions:		nonce
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Pain and pressure in front temporal lobes was reduced 50% within 2 hours of initial treament. Within 4 hours an overall 80% reduction in symptom severity.
Side effects:		No side effects were noticed over a 72 hour period following initial treament taken in the evening.
Comments:		One 325 mg tablet taken with 12 oz glass of water in evening.

Ecotrin review by 30 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		headache
Dosage & duration:		500 (dosage frequency: 1x3) for the period of a month
Other conditions:		non
Other drugs taken:		non
		Reported Results
Benefits:		to reduce headache
Side effects:		i had nausea and dizziness accompanied by blurred speech
Comments:		i was just looking for something stronger for my headache because the usual over the counter painkillers dont help much

Ecotrin review by 69 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		CAD
Dosage & duration:		75 mg. taken orally, once daily, post cibos. for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:		Hypertension.
Other drugs taken:		Pantoprazol, Metoprolol, Clopidogrel, Amlodipine, Atorvastatin, Ezetimibe, Vitamin-E
		Reported Results
Benefits:		I am in reasonable good health. I am non-diabetic, Serum Glucose level is normal [Fasting=100, PP=104]. I am a non-smoker since 7th March, 1975 [prior to that I smoked 60 cigarettes a day for17 years].My Blood lipids are within normal limits [Total Cholesterol=108, HDL=36, LDL=62,VLDL=10.HDL is a bit low [36] but TC:HDL ratio=3.00 and appears to be within favourable range of low risk of "up to 4.5". Kidney function is also within normal range. Liver Function is also normal except SGPT=46. Haemogram is normal. Hb%=15.1. Serum Prostate Specific Antigen=0.75, well within nornal range.
Side effects:		I developed severe epigastric pain, relieved by liquid antacids in June 2006. I had to bear with it till Gastroscopy confirmed Duodenal Ulcer and I had to discontinue Aspirin since December 2006. My HDL is 36. SGPT is slightly raised since 2004. I developed severe Hypothyroidism in July 2007 and have to take Thyroxine Sodium since confirmation of the diagnosis. Echocardiography reports Atherosclerotic AV and AO root. USG reports Fatty infiltration of Pancreas and Partially Contracted GB but I have no complain. I am having occasional pain in joints and they are being cured without any additional drug
Comments:		In April 2005, I felt some mild discomfort in my chest or precordium, which was did not simulate any cardiac pain, ECG was within normal limit, even then I was admitted in a Hospital. Trop-T test indicated Myocardial Infarction. Angiography revealed 90% block in Left Posterior Circumflex Artery, PTCA was done followd by non-drug-elluting stent.