Acetylsalicylic acid’s significant role in medical community

Acetylsalicylic Acid, also known by trade name Aspirin, is an acetyl derivative of salicylic acid that is a white, crystalline, weakly acidic substance, with melting point 137°C. Its CAS NO is 50-78-2.

Today, aspirin is one of the most widely used medications in the world, with an estimated 40,000 tonnes of it being consumed each year. In countries where Aspirin is a registered trademark owned by Bayer, the generic term is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

Acetylsalicylic acid is useful in the relief of headache and muscle and joint aches. Aspirin is also effective in reducing fever, inflammation, and swelling and thus has been used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, and mild infection. Large doses cause acid-base imbalance and respiratory disturbances and can be fatal, especially in children. Acetaminophen (known by trade name Tylenol), which does not cause gastric irritation but does lower fever and relieve pain, is often substituted for Aspirin.

This drug is used today to lower fevers and reduce inflammation, especially those caused by rhumatic fever and arthritis.

Acetylsalicylic acid will thin the blood and therefore it will, in small doses prevent heart attack, stroke & unstable angina. Because of its ability to thin the blood Acetylsalicylic Acid will inhibit the formation of blood clots.

It`s most common use is to relieve headaches as well as muscle & joint pain. Acetylsalicylic Acid interferes with the bodys synthesis of specific POSTAGLANDINS. These compounds are produced by almost every tissue in the body and control the substances involved in the transmission of nerve impulses which participate in the body`s defences against infection. Postaglandins have been shown to bring on fever and play a major role in inflammation.

Acetylsalicylic acid also has an antiplatelet effect by inhibiting the production of thromboxane, which under normal circumstances binds platelet molecules together to create a patch over damaged walls of blood vessels. Because the platelet patch can become too large and also block blood flow, locally and downstream, aspirin is also used long-term, at low doses, to help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clot formation in people at high risk of developing blood clots. It has also been established that low doses of aspirin may be given immediately after a heart attack to reduce the risk of another heart attack or of the death of cardiac tissue. Aspirin may be effective at preventing certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.

The main undesirable side effects of aspirin taken by mouth are gastrointestinal ulcers, stomach bleeding, and tinnitus, especially in higher doses. In children and adolescents, aspirin is no longer indicated to control flu-like symptoms or the symptoms of chickenpox or other viral illnesses, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Acetylsalicylic acid is part of a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but differs from most other NSAIDs in the mechanism of action. Though it, and others in its group called the salicylates, have similar effects (antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic) to the other NSAIDs and inhibit the same enzyme cyclooxygenase, aspirin (but not the other salicylates) does so in an irreversible manner and, unlike others, affects more the COX-1 variant than the COX-2 variant of the enzyme.

At present other uses of this drug are under investigation such as there usefulness in prevention of certain cancers and dangerously high blood pressure which sometimes can occur in pregnancy. It`s effectiveness in the relief of migranes is currently being looked into.

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