What is aspirin?
Originally, Aspirin – note the capital A – was a trademarked name of a specific preparation of acetylsalicylic acid marketed by Bayer. It has come to be the generic term for the compound, and is no longer capitalized. Aspirin is an analgesic, or pain reducer, an anti-inflammatory and a fever reducer. As such, it is often resorted to for mild to moderate pain, such as attends chronic arthritis, colds and flu, or sports injuries. Developed in the latter part of the nineteenth century, aspirin is now known to reduce the coagulation of the blood, and in continuous low doses can provide some protection from heart attacks. Salicylic acid, a precursor to modern aspirin, is found in a number of herbs, notably in the bark of the white willow. Use of willow bark for pain dates back at least as far as Hippocrates, and was administered by chewing the bark to extract the effective ingredient. This ingredient was extracted and combined with a buffering agent to form acetylsalicylic acid, notable for
Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates (sa-LIS-il-ates). It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin is used to treat mild to moderate pain, and also to reduce fever or inflammation. Aspirin is sometimes used to treat or prevent heart attacks, strokes, and chest pain (angina). Aspirin should be used for cardiovascular conditions only under the supervision of a doctor. Aspirin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
