Polopyrin S – action, composition, indications, side effects, dosage

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Polopyrin S is a drug for the symptomatic treatment of colds and flu with fever. The active substance of the drug is acetylsalicylic acid, which has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. Polopyrin S is most often used in family medicine and is found in the first aid kit of most households. In addition, this drug is used in cardiology and rheumatology, as acetylsalicylic acid affects the central nervous system and the hematopoietic system.

How does Polopiryna S work and what is its composition? What indications and contraindications exist for its use? What precautions should be taken when using it? What side effects might taking this medication have? How to use Polopyrine S and with what drugs should not be combined?

Polopiryna S – general product characteristics

Polopyrin S is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug intended for use in pain ailments of various origins and with symptoms of colds and flu.

The active substance of the drug is acetylsalicylic acid, which is also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and in the case of myocardial infarction.

Polopiryna S can be used by adults and adolescents over 16 years of age.

The pharmaceutical form of Polopiryna S are white, two-sided flat tablets with a score line on one side of the tablet.

This drug is available over the counter in packs of 20 or 30 tablets. The price of this medicinal product is non-refundable and amounts to:

  1. PLN 20 for a package of 10 tablets;
  2. for a package of 30 tablets about PLN 13.

Polopyrin S should be stored in its original packaging in order to protect it from light and moisture at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C. Keep the drug out of the sight and reach of children.

How to quickly overcome a fever? Read: How to beat a fever? Here are some home remedies

Polopyrin S – composition and action of the drug

The active substance of Polopyrin S belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). acetylsalicylic acid. One tablet of Polopyrin S contains 300 mg of this substance.

Acetylsalicylic acid shows anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-platelet aggregation properties.

The mechanism of action of the active substance is based on the inhibition of the activity of cyclooxygenases (both COX-1 and COX-2), enzymes involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxane from lipids of cell membranes. Inhibition of increased prostaglandin synthesis underlies the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of acetylsalicylic acid, and the inhibition of thromboxane synthesis underlies its anti-aggregating action.

The use of low doses (75–150 mg daily) of acetylsalicylic acid inhibits the activity of platelet COX-1 irreversibly and persists throughout the lifetime of the platelets. On the other hand, the use of a higher dose of acetylsalicylic acid (2–6 g per day) has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, which depends on the inhibition of the activity induced by COX-2 inflammation.

Acetylsalicylic acid in enteric-coated tablets is absorbed more slowly than in gastric disintegrating tablets. The analgesic effect of the active substance Polopyrin S is felt 30 minutes after taking the preparation, if the tablet has been dissolved in water. The maximum effect is achieved after 1-3 hours and should be maintained for 3-6 hours after a single dose.

In addition to the active substance, Polopyrin S includes auxiliary substances such as: corn starch, powdered cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu? Check: Cold or Flu?

Indications for the use of Polopiryna S

Polopyrin S is a widely available drug, used mainly in family medicine, but also in rheumatology and cardiology. The main indications for the use of this drug are:

  1. Pain ailments of various origins and mild and moderate intensity (headache, toothache, muscle pain, joint pain);
  2. relieving symptoms of colds and flu;
  3. fever;
  4. medical conditions requiring long-term use of acetylsalicylic acid in high doses, only on the recommendation of a doctor, such as rheumatoid arthritis;
  5. myocardial infarction and prevention of recurrent myocardial infarction;
  6. inhibition of platelet aggregation.

How to deal with a cold at home? Read on: Home remedies for colds

Contraindications to the use of Polopiryna S

Polopyrin S, despite its general availability and indications for its administration, may not always be used by every patient. Some diseases and circumstances may constitute a contraindication to the use or an indication for a change in the dosage of the preparation. There are also situations in which, before administering Polopyrin S, specific check-ups should be performed, which the doctor will recommend.

The main contraindication to the use of Polopyrin S is allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients or other salicylates. In addition, Polopyrin S is contraindicated if the patient has ever had asthma attacks (so-called aspirin asthma), bronchospasm, rhinitis, shock, urticaria or other symptoms of hypersensitivity after taking salicylates or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen).

Other contraindications to the use of Polopyrin S have:

  1. bronchial asthma, chronic respiratory disease, allergic or seasonal rhinitis, or edema of the nasal mucosa;
  2. active or recurrent gastric or duodenal ulcer disease, inflammation or gastrointestinal bleeding (risk of recurrence of ulcer disease and gastrointestinal haemorrhage);
  3. severe liver or kidney failure;
  4. severe heart failure;
  5. increased risk of bleeding (hemorrhagic diathesis, haemophilia, thrombocytopenia, any blood coagulation disorders) or the simultaneous use of anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, heparin);
  6. glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency;
  7. simultaneous use of methotrexate in doses of 15 mg per week or more;
  8. III trimester of pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
  9. age of the patient – the drug should not be used by children under 12 years of age, especially in the course of viral infections (e.g. influenza, chickenpox), due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition leading to liver and brain damage, which may be a threat life.

How to overcome the autumn cold? Check: How to fight an autumn cold

Polopyrin S – method of administration and dosage of the drug

Polopyrin S is in the form of tablets intended for oral use. The preparation should be taken according to the recommendations described in the patient information leaflet or according to the doctor’s or pharmacist’s recommendations. Do not exceed the recommended doses, because it will not increase the effectiveness of the drug, and may be harmful to health and life.

Polopyrin S should be taken with or after a meal, with plenty of liquid. The tablet can be dissolved in half a glass of water or milk before use.

The dosage of Polopyrin S depends on the patient’s condition. In rheumatic diseases, Polopiryna S is administered only on the recommendation of a doctor. In the case of rheumatic fever, the usual dose is 900 mg (3 tablets) of Polopyrin S administered 4 times a day, and in the case of rheumatoid arthritis 600 mg (2 tablets), administered 3-4 times a day.

The use of Polopyrin S to relieve pain and fever is recommended in adults in a dose of 300 mg to 600 mg (1-2 tablets) every 4 hours, but no more than 3 g of the drug per day. However, in adolescents over 16 years of age from 600 mg to 900 mg (2-3 tablets) per day.

It is recommended to take Polopyrin S in the case of myocardial infarction and in the prevention of this disease in a dose from 150 mg to 300 mg (from ½ to 1 tablet) per day.

In symptomatic treatment, Polopyrin S should not be used for more than 3 days without medical advice and in the lowest possible effective dose. If you forget to take a dose, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Polopyrin S should always be taken exactly as described on the leaflet, and if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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Polopyrin S – side effects

The use of Polopyrin S may cause side effects, although not everyone may experience them. The expected benefits of using the drug, as a rule, are greater than the harm resulting from the occurrence of side effects.

It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

Side effects may occur after the use of acetylsalicylic acid, which is the active ingredient of Polopyrin S:

  1. digestive tractsuch as: nausea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, anorexia, heartburn, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal bleeding (including melaena, bloody vomiting) and gastric or duodenal ulcer disease, sometimes with bleeding and perforation , increase in liver enzymes, transient liver dysfunction, focal hepatic necrosis, liver tenderness and enlargement, especially in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic fever or pre-existing liver disease;
  2. nervous systemsuch as: tinnitus (usually as a symptom of overdose), hearing disturbances, dizziness;
  3. urinary systemsuch as: proteinuria, the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the urine, renal papillary necrosis, interstitial nephritis;
  4. vascular system and heartsuch as: heart failure, hypertension;
  5. blood and lymphatic systemsuch as: thrombocytopenia (decrease in the number of platelets in the blood), anemia due to gastrointestinal micro-bleeding, haemolytic anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, leukopenia (decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood), agranulocytosis (lack of granulocytes in the blood), eosinopenia (decrease in blood eosinophils), increased risk of bleeding, increase in bleeding time and / or increase in prothrombin time;
  6. immune systemsuch as: rash, hives, angioedema (swelling of the face, tongue and windpipe causing difficulty in breathing), bronchospasm.

Most of the side effects are the result of an overdose of acetylsalicylic acid.

Mild or moderately severe toxic effects occur after the use of acetylsalicylic acid in a dose of 150-300 mg / kg body weight, they include: nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, tinnitus, hearing loss, visual disturbances, headaches, motor agitation, drowsiness and coma, convulsions, hyperthermia (body temperature above normal).

Severe toxic effects may occur with acetylsalicylic acid in the dose of 300-500 mg / kg body weight, which may lead to disturbances in acid-base and water-electrolyte balance (metabolic acidosis and dehydration).

In contrast, the potentially lethal dose of acetylsalicylic acid is greater than 500 mg / kg body weight. In the event of worsening of any of the side effects or the occurrence of any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

ATTENTION! The occurrence of side effects after the use of Polopiryna S can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Effects of Medicinal Products of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw.

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Polopyrin S – interactions with other drugs and substances

The use of Polopyrin S with certain medications and foodstuffs may require consultation with a doctor, as it may be necessary to change the dosage or stop taking a specific preparation.

Inform your doctor about all medications you have recently taken, even those sold without a prescription.

Drugs contraindicated for use together with Polopyrin S include methotrexate in doses of 15 mg per week or more, due to its toxic effect on the bone marrow. However, special care should be taken when combining Polopiryna S with such preparations as:

  1. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding);
  2. drugs that increase uric acid excretion in the urine, e.g. benzbromarone, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone (acetylsalicylic acid used simultaneously with drugs that increase uric acid excretion, reduces the effect of these drugs);
  3. thrombolytic drugs and drugs that inhibit platelet aggregation, such as ticlopidine, clopidogrel (possible increase in their effect, prolongation of bleeding time and increased risk of haemorrhage);
  4. anticoagulants, such as warfarin, heparin (possible increase in the anticoagulant effect and prolongation of bleeding time; increased risk of haemorrhage);
  5. antihypertensive drugs, including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin antagonists and beta-blockers (possible reduction of the antihypertensive effect);
  6. anti-diabetic drugs, e.g. insulin, sulfonylurea derivatives (intensification of their action, risk of hypoglycaemia; should not be used in parallel with sulfonylurea derivatives);
  7. diuretics, e.g. furosemide (possible reduction of the diuretic effect and sodium and water retention if acetylsalicylic acid is used in doses of 3 g per day or more; possible increase in the toxic effect of furosemide on the hearing organs);
  8. valproic acid (risk of intensification of its toxicity and intensification of the anti-aggregating effect);
  9. other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (parallel use of acetylsalicylic acid and other NSAIDs is not recommended due to the increased risk of side effects, especially gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney damage);
  10. ibuprofen (possible reduction of the anti-aggregating effect of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid);
  11. cardiac glycosides, e.g. digoxin (risk of increasing the concentration of cardiac glycosides in the blood);
  12. Systemic glucocorticosteroids, with the exception of hydrocortisone used as replacement therapy in Addison’s disease (use with acetylsalicylic acid increases the risk of gastric or duodenal ulcer disease and gastrointestinal bleeding);
  13. acetazolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, a weak diuretic sometimes used to treat e.g. glaucoma; risk of increasing acetazolamide toxicity).

Another substance that should be avoided during treatment with Polopyrin S is alcohol, which is now widely available and most people drink it in moderate amounts, in the form of both low and high alcohol drinks. However, combining it with a drug can lead to significant and harmful interactions. Alcohol in combination with Polopyrin S increases the risk of mucosa damage and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Polopiryna S during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy and the subsequent period of breastfeeding are a natural condition in a woman’s life, but it should be remembered that not everything that is allowed on a daily basis will also be appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. One of such issues is taking medicinal preparations, including those available without a prescription, which should not be used by pregnant or lactating women without consulting a doctor.

Before recommending the use of Polopyrin S, the physician should clarify beyond any doubt the potential risks and benefits associated with the use of a given drug. When using acetylsalicylic acid before delivery, abnormal bleeding can be observed in newborns, such as subconjunctival haemorrhage, hematuria, ecchymosis, and subperiosteal hematoma.

Acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient of Polopyrin S, easily crosses the placental barrier and in the first 6 months of pregnancy, this drug can only be used when absolutely necessary.

Women during the first or second trimester of pregnancy may use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period, if there is a need for acetylsalicylic acid and after considering the ratio of the expected benefit to the mother and possible risk to the fetus. However, in the last three months of pregnancy, all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors may have harmful effects on the fetus: the circulatory system (pulmonary hypertension with premature closure of the Botalla’s ductus arteriosus), the kidneys (renal failure may occur with oligohydramnios).

In addition, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors used by women during the third trimester of pregnancy may prolong bleeding time in both mothers and newborns. They can also show an anti-aggregating effect, even at very low doses, or inhibit uterine contractility.

Therefore, acetylsalicylic acid is contraindicated during the last trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding, as it may pass through breast milk into the body of the newborn, increasing the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a serious condition that can damage the liver and brain and may also be a risk. life.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

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