Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a member of a family of chemicals called salicylates, it is often used as analgesic (to relieve pain and aches), antipyretic (to reduce fever), antiplatelet (anti-clotting) and anti-inflammatory. Aspirin is a drug that permanently destroys the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase on contact. Cyclo-oxygenase is important for the body's production of prostaglandins, which is a chemical that signals an injury or triggers pain.

Uses of Aspirin:

• Aspirin is commonly used for the relief of fever, toothache, headache, inflammation.
• As an analgesic, it is effective in relieving moderate pain such as that associated with rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other musculo-skeletal conditions.
• It reduces the risk of polyp recurrence in people with a history of colon polyps.
• Aspirin help reduce the formation of blood clots and also dilates blood vessels, making them less prone to blockage by any clots that are formed. It is known that aspirin interferes with the production of prothrombin, which is necessary for the final steps in blood clotting. People who have a high risk of strokes and heart attacks caused by blood clots should be given small doses of aspirin (one 5- grain tablet or less daily) to turn off the body's production of thromboxane A2. Studies suggest that the beneficial effect of low doses of aspirin in preventing strokes and heart attack applies only to men. The reason for this difference between men and women is not known.

Side Effects of Aspirin:

• In the high doses often necessary for relief of inflammation and pain, aspirin may cause irritation of the stomach. This effect may be avoided by taking aspirin with food, in association with alkaline buffers, or in pills coated with a covering resistant to stomach acid but susceptible to breakdown in the small intestine.
• Studies suggest that children who were given aspirin when they have chicken pox or flu may then develop Reye's syndrome, an often fatal disease of unknown cause. Even though the link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome is not proven children should be given acetaminophen instead of aspirin to relieve fever and aching muscles.
• Excessive dosage of aspirin given in prolonged period can damage both the liver and the kidney.
• In rare cases very high doses can cause death by interfering with the respiratory and thinking centers in the brain.