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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Aspirin

Nervous System Agents

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.

Facts
Drug Class
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); antithrombotic 1
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, reducing production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes responsible for pain, fever, inflammation and platelet aggregation. 1
Approved Use
Reduces pain, fever and inflammation; used as an antithrombotic for cardiovascular protection. 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1897 1
Significant Risk
Upset stomach, stomach ulcers and bleeding; greater bleeding risk with age, alcohol or other blood thinners; linked to Reye syndrome in children with viral infections. 1
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
N: Nervous System 2
Route of Administration
Oral 3
WHO Essential Medicine
Core List 1
Connections

Long-Form Articles

Who Made Aspirin, and Who Kept the Name, Articles

Treats

Cardiovascular Disease, Conditions
Source Aspirin (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Aspirin (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, and as an antithrombotic
  • Infobox, drug class
    nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, and as an antithrombotic
  • Pharmacology section
    inhibits cyclooxygenase
  • History section
    1897 (first pure, stable form produced by Bayer)
  • Lead section, adverse effects
    One common adverse effect is an upset stomach. More significant side effects include stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, and worsening asthma.
  • Regulatory approval status
  • WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, core list
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code N
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code N
Nervous system
View the Source
3. Wikidata: Acetylsalicylic acid
WikidataWikidata P636 (route-of-administration: oral)
Quote, Wikidata P636 (route-of-administration: oral)
Route of administration: oral administration
View the Source
Frequently Asked Questions

Why does aspirin carry a bleeding warning?

Because the same COX inhibition that reduces platelet aggregation can also cause bleeding.

Aspirin inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which lowers the production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Those compounds drive pain, fever and inflammation, and they also drive platelet aggregation. Reducing platelet aggregation is why aspirin is used as an antithrombotic, and it is also why bleeding is a recognized risk. The cited adverse effects passage lists stomach ulcers and stomach bleeding, and the entry notes that bleeding risk is greater with age, alcohol or other blood thinners.

Is aspirin used for anything besides pain and fever?

Yes, it is also used as an antithrombotic for cardiovascular protection.

Yes. Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever and inflammation, and it is also used as an antithrombotic, which means it is used for cardiovascular protection. The entry also records a link between aspirin and Reye syndrome in children with viral infections.
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