RESUMO
The influence was studied of the administration of acetylsalicylic acid and acetaminophen in doses of 450 mg/kg body weight/day, and 600 mg/kg/day respectively on the alimentary efficacy coefficient (AEC), on growth and on the hepatosomatic index in rats on a diet sufficient in all nutrients required to meet the animal's needs. The AEC was studied both for the whole experimental period and at values taken weekly. The results show that both aspirin and paracetamol significantly reduce overall alimentary efficacy (p < 0.05) and increase the hepatosomatic index. Partial AEC values showed that the analgesics studied significantly affect the figures (p < 0.05) for the intermediate periods (aspirin, 0.27 +/- 0.01, vs 0.38 +/- 0.03), and that these are more affected than those of the final treatment period (aspirin, 0.33 +/- 0.14, vs 0.36 +/- 0.07).
