Therapeutic Classification: antiplatelet agents, antipyretics, nonopioid analgesics
Pharmacologic Classification: salicylates, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs nsaids
Absorption: Well absorbed from the upper small intestine; absorption from enteric-coated preparations may be unreliable; rectal absorption is slow and variable.
Distribution: Rapidly and widely distributed; crosses the placenta and enters breast milk.
Metabolism/Excretion: Extensively metabolized by the liver; inactive metabolites excreted by the kidneys. Amount excreted unchanged by the kidneys depends on urine pH; as pH increases, amount excreted unchanged increases from 2–3% up to 80%.
Half-Life: 2–3 hr for low doses; up to 15–30 hr with larger doses because of saturation of liver metabolism.
(analgesia/fever reduction)
| ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
|---|
| PO | 5–30 min | 1–3 hr | 3–6 hr |
Pain/Fever
- PO (Adults ): 325–1000 mg every 4–6 hr (not to exceed 4 g/day). Extended-release tablets: 650 mg every 8 hr or 800 mg every 12 hr.
- PO (Children 2–11 yr): 10–15 mg/kg/dose every 4–6 hr; maximum dose: 4 g/day.
Inflammation
- PO (Adults ): 2.4 g/day initially; ↑ to maintenance dose of 3.6–5.4 g/day in divided doses (up to 7.8 g/day for acute rheumatic fever).
- PO (Children ): 60–100 mg/kg/day in divided doses (up to 130 mg/kg/day for acute rheumatic fever).
Prevention of Transient Ischemic Attacks
- PO (Adults ): 50–325 mg once daily.
Prevention of Myocardial Infarction/Antiplatelet Effects
- PO (Adults ): 80–325 mg once daily. Suspected acute MI: 160 mg as soon as MI is suspected.
- PO (Children ): 3–10 mg/kg/day given once daily (round dose to a convenient amount).
Kawasaki Disease
- PO (Children ): 80–100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses until fever resolves; may be followed by maintenance dose of 3–5 mg/kg/day as a single dose for up to 8 wk.
