ASCAL Effervescent tablet Ref.[11012] Active ingredients: Carbasalate calcium

Source: European Medicines Agency (EU) 

5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antithrombotic agents, Platelet aggregration inhibitors excl. Heparin
ATC code: B01AC08

Ascal Brisper Cardio-Neuro 100 mg contains carbasalate calcium, a complex of calcium acetyl salicylic acid and urea that is fully soluble in a small amount of water. Each effervescent tablet contains the equivalent of 78 mg of acetyl salicylic acid which, after solution, is fully available as an ion for absorption. The volume of urea is very small (13.1%) therefore even at high doses it forms only a fraction of the volume that is found as a metabolite in normal protein metabolism.

Mechanism of action

Carbasalate calcium is a thrombocyte aggregation inhibitor. The antithrombotic effect is due to the irreversible acetylating of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase in the thrombocyte, through which the formation of the prostaglandin thromboxane A2 is inhibited.

Pharmacodynamic effects

Due to the irreversible nature of the binding, the effect persists for the lifespan of a thrombocyte (7-10 days) and the effect is cumulative after repeated dosing. As a result it is possible to achieve maximum thromboxane A2 inhibition after initially higher starting dose followed by lower maintenance doses to compensate for the creation of new thrombocytes.

Clinical efficacy and safety

Experimental data suggest that ibuprofen may inhibit the effect of low dose aspirin on platelet aggregation when they are dosed concomitantly. In one study, when a single dose of ibuprofen 400mg was taken within 8 h before or within 30 min after immediate release aspirin dosing (81mg), a decreased effect of ASA on the formation of thromboxane or platelet aggregation occurred. However, the limitations of these data and the uncertainties regarding extrapolation of ex vivo data to the clinical situation imply that no firm conclusions can be made for regular ibuprofen use, and no clinically relevant effect is considered to be likely for occasional ibuprofen use.

5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

After oral administration, acetyl salicylic acid is rapidly absorbed in the proximal part of the small bowel. The maximum plasma concentration is reached after 0.5-2 hours. However, a considerable part of the dose is hydrolysed in the gastric wall during absorption. Simultaneous ingestion of food delays the uptake of acetyl salicylic acid (lower peak plasma concentrations).

Distribution

The volume of distribution of acetyl salicylic acid is approx. 0.20 l/kg bodyweight. The first conversion product formed from acetyl salicylic acid, anti-inflammatorily effective salicylic acid, is bound to plasma proteins, primarily albumin, to the 90% level. Salicylic acid diffuses slowly to the synovia and the synovial fluid. It penetrates the placenta and passes over into the maternal milk.

Biotransformation

Acetyl salicylic acid is primarily converted into salicylic acid by hydrolysis. The half-life of acetyl salicylic acid is short, approx. 15-20 minutes.

Salicylic acid is then converted into glycine acid and glucuronic acid conjugates and traces of gentisic acid. At higher therapeutic doses the conversion capacity of salicylic acid is already exceeded and the pharmacokinetics is non-linear. This leads to a prolongation of the apparent elimination half-life of salicylic acid from a few hours to approximately 24 hours.

Elimination

Excretion is primarily via the kidneys.

The tubular resorption of salicylic acid is pH-dependent. By alkalising the urine the proportion of unchanged salicylic acid in the excretion increases from approx. 10% to approx. 80%.

5.3. Preclinical safety data

Mutagenic and carcinogenic potential.

The acetylsalicylic acid has been assessed in many in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical studies. Taken together the results didn’t reveal any mutagenic effect. Long term studies on rat and mouse didn’t reveal any carcinogenic effect.

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