Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Ecotrin as follows:
Gastrointestinal side-effects
- Ecotrin use can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea, vomiting, and burning sensation of stomach, especially when taken on empty stomach. Taking dose of Ecotrin with a glass of water, after having some food or a snack, can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.
- Prostaglandin are chemical mediators playing an important role in promoting pain and inflammation. Ecotrin, by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, helps with pain relief. Prostaglandins, apart from mediating pain and inflammation, also help increase the secretion of mucus, which forms a protective layer on the inner lining of stomach and intestines.
- Ecotrin, by inhibiting the prostaglandin synthesis, inhibits the formation of protective mucus cover on the inner lining of the stomach. Deficient mucus cover on the inner lining of stomach can result in irritation of the stomach lining. Thus, Ecotrin can induce some burning sensation and stomach upset, especially when taken on empty stomach.
- Individuals with history of gastric ulcers can present with activation of the ulcer, secondary to Ecotrin intake, which can result in episodes of gastric bleeding. They can also present with black tarry stools and/or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, due to the partially digested blood.
