Aspirin (aka acetylsalicylic acid) is a salicylate drug, often used to Tx pain, fever, and inflammation.

Source: Bundilla Clinic

• Has has anti-platelet effect, by stopping the binding together of platelets, and preventing a patch over damaged walls of blood vessels. Low-dose aspirin use irreversibly blocks the formation of thromboxane A2 in platelets, producing an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation during the lifetime of the affected platelet (8-9 days)
• Its distinction from other NSAIDs is that it is an irreversible COX inhibitor (cyclooxygenase)
• Unlike others, it affects COX-1 more than COX-2
• Nonetheless, it has similar effects, including being antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic

• Used long-term, at low doses, to help prevent, in Pt's at high risk ofd eveloping blood clots:
  • Heart attacks
  • Clot-related strokes
  • Blood clot formation
• Low dose aspirin, given immediately after a heart attack, to reduce the risk of:
  • Another heart attack
  • Death of cardiac tissue
• Prevent certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, may be

• Salicylate blood test, to test for salicylate intoxication, caused by an overdose of aspirin

• GI ulcers
• Stomach bleeding
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), especially w/ higher doses
• Increase risk of bleeding/hemorrhagic stroke
• In kids, ebcause of the risk of Reye's syndrome, thus NOT recommended in kids for flu-like Sx or viral illnesses
• Contrary to common thought, aspirin slightly INCREASES risk of hypertension

• The therapeutic properties of willow tree bark have been known for at least 2.4k years, w/ Hippocrates prescribing it for headaches

• NSAID (category)