Pain or fever may appear suddenly, causing a person a lot of discomfort. Combination drugs cope more successfully with different types of pain, inflammation and hyperthermia. What Askofen helps with and how many tablets you need to take to achieve the effect, we will consider further.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
A combined drug whose effectiveness is ensured by its constituent components.
Acetylsalicylic acid has a noticeable analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect, inhibits platelet aggregation .
Paracetamol also exhibits antipyretic and analgesic effects.
Caffeine increases reflex excitability of the spinal cord, stimulates respiratory and vasomotor functions, dilates blood vessels , muscles, heart, brain, kidneys, and reduces platelet aggregation . In addition, taking caffeine helps reduce drowsiness and fatigue, increase performance, and so on.
As a result of oral administration, almost 90% of the drug is absorbed. In this case, the maximum concentration of substances in the serum is achieved at different times: paracetamol - within an hour, caffeine - 2.5 hours, acetylsalicylic acid - 1-2 hours.
Almost 80% of the acidic active substances are eliminated from the body by the kidneys.
How does Askofen work?
The medication belongs to the group of non-narcotic analgesic drugs. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and psychostimulating effects due to the action of its constituent components:
- acetylsalicylic acid fights inflammation, relieves pain, reduces high fever, and prevents blood clotting;
- paracetamol reduces pain and relieves fever; in combination with acetylsalicylic acid, they enhance each other’s effect;
- caffeine stimulates respiratory function, increases blood pressure and heart rate.
Askofen-P during pregnancy
It should be noted that this drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy, especially in the 1st and 3rd trimester. A one-time use of the medicine in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is allowed, but if it is clearly established that it will not cause harm to the fetus.
As is known, taking the drug in the first trimester can cause fetal malformation in the form of cleft palate caused by the teratogenic effect of acetylsalicylic acid.
In the third trimester, there remains a possibility of inhibition of labor, closure of the ductus arteriosus in the unborn baby, causing vascular hyperplasia in the lungs and hypertension in the circulatory vessels.
Possibility of use for hypertensive patients
Is it true that Askofen increases blood pressure and should you absolutely not take it if your blood pressure is high? The instructions do not say that the drug directly affects blood pressure levels, but it is still possible to draw a conclusion about the effect of the active components of the tablets on the body’s condition:
- acetylsalicylic acid - slightly thins the blood and promotes the expansion of capillaries, but does not have a direct effect on blood pressure levels;
- phenacetin – does not affect the functionality of blood vessels and the state of blood flow;
- paracetamol – slightly increases blood pressure, but is not indicated for combating hypotension;
- Caffeine is a substance that increases blood pressure; at low blood pressure, it helps to expand vascular tone and stabilize the hypotensive state.
It follows from this that not a single active component of the drug is capable of causing a sharp increase in blood pressure, except for caffeine, and even then, this substance can increase blood pressure by only a few mmHg.
However, for hypertension, if the doctor has prescribed these pills, the patient needs to keep blood pressure levels under control at all times. Stories that taking Askofen with high blood pressure provokes the onset of a hypertensive crisis are not confirmed by anything. Because the dose of caffeine contained in the drug is too small to produce such serious negative consequences.
Contraindications for use
- intolerance to the drug or its components;
- various gastrointestinal lesions;
- disorders of the liver or kidneys;
- abnormalities in the functioning of the respiratory system, for example, with asthma;
- dissecting aortic aneurysm;
- some disorders of the nervous and cardiovascular system;
- age less than 15 years;
- lactation, pregnancy and so on.
Conclusion
The drug can be used simultaneously for both hypertension and hypotension. Its main effect is to stabilize blood pressure by irritating the blood by inhibiting red blood cell aggregation. But some doctors recommend not drinking it if you have arterial hypertension, since it contains caffeine.
Askofen is used for isolated cases of hypertension. If the patient's condition is observed in the chronic phase, use is unacceptable. Caffeine causes vasospasm, which increases blood pressure even more. Therefore, in a hypertensive patient, the indicators can rise to critical values, causing negative consequences for the cardiovascular system and other tissues.
If the patient has arterial hypotension, the drug will benefit him. This is due to the following effects:
- improvement of vascular endothelial tone;
- normalization of nervous activity;
- a surge of vigor and strength.
A hypotensive person will feel much better, more energetic, and the loss of strength will be eliminated.
If the patient suffers from arterial hypotension, a decrease in pressure occurs when there is a difference in atmospheric pressure or a sudden change in weather. Such patients are often prescribed Askofen to reduce meteosensitivity. Blood pressure becomes more stable and stops fluctuating under the influence of external factors. There is no deterioration in health.
Many therapists do not recommend using medications for arterial hypotension to prevent negative effects on blood vessels. But Askofen contains only natural active ingredients that do not negatively affect the cardiovascular system. Askofen stabilizes all parameters. If its action becomes insufficient, therapists advise using plant extracts. For example, ginseng, eleutherococcus. Ginseng has the following properties:
- contains a large amount of vitamins, microelements, minerals, nutrients;
- improving the functioning of the heart muscle;
- increased blood pressure;
- increased tone of the vascular endothelium.
When consuming plant extracts, there is a tonic effect on the cardiovascular system without negative effects. The body is rejuvenated, there are no side effects.
Pharmacological effects of Eleutherococcus:
- increased activity of the vascular wall;
- stabilization of blood pressure parameters;
- activation of metabolic activity;
- stabilization of the nervous system.
To keep the patient active throughout the day, it is recommended to use the herbal extract in the morning, immediately after waking up. But first you need to read the instructions to prevent side effects.
Therapists give general recommendations for patients suffering from changes in blood pressure.
- Long walks in the fresh air to saturate the body with oxygen.
- Quitting smoking and frequent alcohol consumption.
- Eating foods that saturate the body with vitamins, microelements, and minerals.
- Drink at least 2 liters per day to stabilize the water balance.
- Adequate physical activity corresponding to the state of the body. Running, swimming, yoga or Pilates are recommended.
- Adequate sleep, periodic rest when you lose strength.
- Drinking strong tea and coffee in the morning, if the patient feels a lack of energy, his blood pressure decreases. Chicory can also be used for these purposes; it contains a large amount of caffeine.
Therapists advise using drug therapy only if all of the above methods do not help, the patient still develops loss of strength and low blood pressure.
Many doctors fear that chronic use of caffeine-based medications may lead to a negative reaction. The vascular endothelium will be under excessive tension, which can provoke arterial hypertension. Therefore, Askofen is prescribed only in rare cases when the patient’s well-being deteriorates significantly.
Side effects
When treated with this drug, various problems may arise in the gastrointestinal tract in the form of: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, gastralgia, diarrhea, erosive and ulcerative damage, bleeding. liver or kidney failure, tachycardia and increased blood pressure is also possible
Long-term use of the medication causes: dizziness, tinnitus, headache, hypocoagulation, various undesirable syndromes and liver dysfunction .
Askofen tablets, instructions for use (Method and dosage)
As the instructions for use of Askofen-P indicate, these tablets are prescribed to be taken after meals 2-3 times a day in an amount of 1-2 pieces. In this case, the maximum daily dosage should not exceed 6 pieces, and the break should be less than 4 hours.
Considering the indications for the use of Askofen, you need to observe some features of administration:
- It is better to take the tablets with milk, regular warm or mineral water;
- patients with impaired renal or liver function need to increase the interval between taking the medicine - from 6 hours.
In addition, the course of pain therapy should not exceed 5 days and treatment of fever should not exceed 3 days. In other cases, the duration of treatment and dosage is determined by the doctor.
Overdose
In case of overdose, the following may occur:
- nausea, vomiting, pain in the gastrointestinal tract;
- sweating, pale skin;
- tachycardia;
- tinnitus;
- drowsiness, collapse, convulsive state;
- bronchospasm, breathing problems and so on.
If there is a suspicion of poisoning , then you need to urgently call for medical help. Usually the victim's stomach is washed and adsorbents are prescribed.
Interaction
Simultaneous treatment with Askofen-P leads to increased effects of heparin , reserpine, indirect anticoagulants, steroid hormones and some hypoglycemic agents . It is also likely that the effectiveness of furosemide, spironolactone , and antihypertensive and anti-gout drugs , which help remove uric acid from the body, will decrease.
An increase in side effects of glucocorticosteroids , methotrexate sulfonylurea derivatives , as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and non-narcotic analgesics was noted.
It is not recommended to combine this medicine with barbiturates , antiepileptic drugs, zidovudine, rifampicin and alcohol-containing drinks, because there is a possibility of developing a hepatotoxic effect.
The effect of paracetamol increases the elimination period of chloramphenicol by almost 5 times. As for caffeine, it helps accelerate the absorption of ergotamine.
Combination therapy with Salicylamide and other stimulants of microsomal oxidation promotes the production of toxic metabolites of paracetamol , which negatively affect liver function.
Simultaneous use with Metoclopramide enhances the absorption of paracetamol . Repeated use can increase the effect of anticoagulants.
Special Recommendations
It is prohibited to drink alcohol during drug therapy. This is due to the fact that ethanol penetrates through the systemic bloodstream into the liver and causes toxic damage to some hepatocytes.
Since Askofen contains paracetamol, it has a similar damaging effect on the liver as ethanol. Together with paracetamol, it causes a strong effect on the liver and increased stress. With prolonged joint use, a toxic effect occurs that can even cause hepatitis.
Analogs
Level 4 ATC code matches:
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspirin-S
Citropak
Aspirin
Citramon
Coficil-Plus
Farmadol
Cefekon N
Aquacitramon
Upsarin UPSA
Citrapack
Alca Prim
Thrombopol
Citrapar
The following drugs also have a similar effect: Orafen, Flexen, Diclovit, Artrosilene, Bofen and others.
Reviews about Askofen-P
As numerous patient reviews left on various forums show, this drug is an excellent, inexpensive and effective combination remedy. Many users have been taking Askofen tablets for a long time, which does not reduce the therapeutic effect, since they use them periodically.
At the same time, some patients ask what Askofen-P helps best with and how often can it be used? To this, experts answer that the tablets have equivalent analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, when these unwanted symptoms do not disappear quickly, you need to consult a doctor.
In addition, there are many features and contraindications to taking this medicine. For example, Askofen Darnitsa is capable of exacerbating the manifestation of asthma more than other forms, causing the development of severe allergic reactions.
Does Ascofen increase or decrease blood pressure?
This drug is often taken by people suffering from arterial hypotension , that is, low blood pressure, in order to get rid of this disease. However, they claim that such treatment was recommended to them by a doctor. Most patients are satisfied with the effect produced.
Of course, this combination of substances includes a small dosage of caffeine , which is not capable of having a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, but normalizes cerebral vascular tone and accelerates blood flow. Therefore, patients with high blood pressure should take these pills with caution, and people with low blood pressure should still not abuse such therapy.
Effect of the drug on blood pressure
Askofen for blood pressure is used more often by hypotensive patients, since they regularly suffer from dizziness, general weakness, drowsiness and increased fatigue. The instructions do not clearly indicate that the product is intended to increase blood pressure, but the caffeine content makes these tablets a good medicine that saves hypotensive patients from feeling unwell during weather changes.
Not only the caffeine content in the tablets has a beneficial effect on the well-being of hypotensive patients - the maximum effect is achieved by combining the component with other active ingredients. The instructions do not contain information about at what pressure the tablets can and should be taken, and Askofen has side effects and contraindications, like any other medicine. Therefore, before use, you should consult a doctor, despite the beneficial effect of the drug on the body if you are prone to hypotension.
Askofen-P price, where to buy
This medicine is available to almost all patients, since in Russian pharmacies its price starts from 14 rubles.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
- Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan
ZdravCity
- Askofen-P painkiller tablet.
20 pcs. Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC 68 rub. order - Askofen-P painkiller tablet. 10 pcs. Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC
44 RUR order
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Release form, composition
Currently, Askofen is presented in pharmacies in two forms: Askofen-P and Askofen ultra. Both drugs are available only in tablets and have the same composition. The only difference is in the dosages.
- Askofen-P contains 200 mg of paracetamol, 40 mg of caffeine and 200 mg of acetylsalicylic acid;
- Askofen Ultra contains 250 mg of paracetamol, 65 mg of caffeine and 250 mg of acetylsalicylic acid;
Excipients include potato starch, stearic acid, calcium stearate, povidone, talc, petroleum jelly and silicone emulsion. The tablets have a white or white-pink color, a flat cylinder shape, a chamfer and a score, a slight or no odor is allowed, and a marbled color.
Sold 10 or 20 pieces per pack.
