aspirin dissolved in sodium bicarbonate

I sometimes suffer from severe muscle cramps. Also, I take an aspirin tablet each day for my heart. I have found that a very small ammount of sodium bicarbonate, taken in early evening, eliminates the muscle cramps but, importantly, this appears to dissolve the aspirin when taken together. Is this acceptable practice? The aspirin is much easier to swallow when combined with some sodium bicarbonate.

Basically, the muscle cramps are eliminated but, is the aspirin still doing its' job?

Thanking You
Peter Stephenson

[arthur]

Sounds like Alka Seltzer to me...ie, Alka Seltzer with aspirin.

[strezleky]

in response to Arthur, the combination of aspirin and sodium bicarbonate produces extreme effervescence. This would indicate a chemical reaction. The question is, what has the chemical reaction done to either of the ingredients? Is the Aspirin still as effective?

[strezleky]

kitcurious, I was unaware of that. I thank you

[kitcurious]

Alka Seltzer is commonly listed under blood-thinning medications to avoid before surgery. I assume aspirin is still aspirin even in fizzy water.

[arthur]

Acetylsalicylic acid, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid are the chief ingredients in Alka-Seltzer.  The resulting mixture in solution yields sodium acetylsalicylate (a solubilized form of the analgesic, aspirin).  So, the answer is yes, it's still aspirin.

-Arthur

[strezleky]

Arthur, you certainly appear to know your stuff. Thankyou. Although my blood pressure is high, my main interest is inpreventing leg cramps at night. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks again.

[arthur]

I am no expert in leg cramps.  However, muscle cramps can often be caused by mineral imbalances...so my approach would be to take some mineral/vitamin supplements to insure that's not the cause.  -Arthur

[strezleky]

arthur, that is how this whole thing came about. I was testing sodium bi-carb as a possible mineral boost when I discovered the aspirin caused it to effervesce in my mouth. I was just a little concirned about any chemical reaction (memories of doctors warnings re: antibiotics)but, you have answered that to my absolute satisfaction and again, I thank you for your most prompt response. My boss used to be a nurse and she also indicated other minerals apart from Sodium. Arthur, I don't know where you are situated but I am from the "land down under", Australia. Have a great Christmas and thanks again.

[arthur]

Merry Christmas to you too. (from New Jersey)
...and have a healthy New Year.

-Arthur

[strezleky]

Oh'well, the mental health thing is shut down 'till Jan. I realize this is not the correct avenue for advice but today, Christmas Day, I had to remind my mother six or seven times of a simple fact. This has come as a bit of a shock because, although I knew her memory was starting to fail, it is now accelerating at a logarithmic rate. There are drugs available which can slow this down or even reverse it e.g. Ampakine drugs. I know you will have a better "handle" on anything like this than myself.

[strezleky]

I respect your opinions. I have one "out of left field" so to speak. I am posing a question in the mental health section in relation to my mother. I need urgent advice on drug therapy for memory loss. Thanks.

[wentworth736]

The aspirin will be less effecive, when ingested with sodium bicarbonate, as it causes the excretion of aspirin to be faster, may be up to twice as fast, so i would just take it with water