Aspirin
A widely used NSAID with antithrombotic properties.
Aspirin is the genericized trademark for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, and as an antithrombotic.
- field
- Pharmaceutical drug
- known_for
- Pain relief, fever reduction, anti-inflammatory effects, and prevention of heart attack and stroke
Lore & Background
Over the next 50 years, chemists, mostly at Bayer, established the chemical structure and devised more efficient production methods.
Reader's Guide
Aspirin's significance lies in its dual role as an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent, and as a life-saving antithrombotic. It irreversibly inactivates cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, suppressing prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which explains both its pain-relieving and blood-thinning effects. Low-dose aspirin is used long-term to reduce the risk of heart attack, ischemic stroke, and blood clots in high-risk individuals. Aspirin remains essential despite side effects like stomach ulcers and bleeding, and is available without prescription in most jurisdictions.
Did You Know?
- Aspirin decomposes rapidly in solutions of ammonium acetate or alkali metal acetates, carbonates, citrates, or hydroxides.
- The powder-air mixture from aspirin production can be explosive, requiring airborne dust limits of 5 mg/m³.
- High doses of aspirin may result in ringing in the ears.
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