Knowra Acetylsalicylic acid Acetylsalicylic acid Acetylsalicylic acid, commonly called aspirin, is a medication formed by acetylating salicylic acid. It relieves pain, reduces fever and inflammation, and inhibits platelet aggregation.
Cyclooxygenase : Cyclooxygenase enzymes convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandin and thromboxane precursors. Aspirin acetylates cyclooxygenase, reducing production of pain- and inflammation-related mediators.
Analgesic : An analgesic is a drug that reduces pain without necessarily causing loss of consciousness. Aspirin is a widely used non-opioid analgesic for mild to moderate pain.
Willow bark : Willow bark is the bark of Salix trees and contains salicin, a precursor of salicylic acid. Traditional willow remedies helped inspire the later isolation and medicinal use of salicylates.
Paracetamol : Paracetamol, also called acetaminophen, is a pain reliever and fever reducer with little peripheral anti-inflammatory activity. Unlike aspirin, it does not reliably inhibit platelet function at usual doses.
Prostaglandin : Prostaglandins are lipid signaling molecules involved in inflammation, pain, fever, and other bodily functions. Reduced prostaglandin synthesis explains much of aspirin’s pain-relieving and fever-reducing action.
Antipyretic : An antipyretic is a substance that lowers an elevated body temperature. Aspirin can reduce fever by lowering prostaglandin signaling in the brain.
Salicin : Salicin is a plant-derived glycoside that can be metabolized into salicylic acid. Its connection to willow bark led researchers toward salicylic acid and eventually aspirin.
Ibuprofen : Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes. Its reversible enzyme inhibition contrasts with aspirin’s irreversible acetylation.
Thromboxane A2 : Thromboxane A2 is a short-lived lipid mediator that promotes platelet activation and blood-vessel constriction. Aspirin suppresses platelet thromboxane production, limiting platelet aggregation.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug : A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug reduces pain, fever, or inflammation without being a corticosteroid. Aspirin is an early member of this drug class, though its platelet effects are distinctive.
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