Aspirin

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is used as an analgesic, antipyretic and anti inflammatory drug. It is a derivative of salicylic acid and work as an irreversible inhibitor of COX-1 and –2. Aspirin is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines
aspirin

The active ingredient (salicylic acid) was first discovered by Edward Stone in 1763. Aspirin was developed by Bayer in 1899 as an analgesic.
John Robert Vane, a British Pharmacologist was awarded the 1982 Nobel Prize for his 1971 discovery that aspirin suppressed the production of prostaglandins.

Mechanism of action:

Indications:
Indicated for – suppression of inflammation (partially explained by COX-2); mild to moderate pain; fever reduction; platelet aggregation

Pharmacokinetics:
Bioavailability 80–100%[2]
Protein binding 80–90%[3]
Metabolism Liver (CYP2C19 and possibly CYP3A), some is also hydrolysed to salicylate in the gut wall.[3]
Elimination half-life Dose-dependent; 2–3 h for low doses (100 mg or less), 15–30 h for large doses.[3]
Excretion Urine (80–100%), sweat, saliva, feces[2]

Dosage:

Adverse effects:
bleeding; renal impairment; effect 8th cranial nerve (dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, vomiting); gastric irritation; Reyes syndrome (encephalopathy and fatty liver degeneration in children)

Drug interactions:
Warfarin (intensifies affects); glucocorticoids (increase risk of gastric ulceration); alcohol (increased risk of gastric bleeding)

Overdose/Poisoning:

Chemical formula: C9H8O4

In Australia, aspirin is on the National Podiatry Scheduled Medicines List for use by authorised Podiatrists.

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