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Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
Irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1/COX-2), blocking prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis to reduce pain, inflammation, fever, and platelet aggregation.
Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) is indicated for temporary relief of minor aches and pains or as recommended by a doctor. The product has delayed action and will not provide fast relief of headaches or symptoms needing immediate relief. The label recommends consulting a doctor about other uses for safety-coated 81 mg aspirin formulations. Mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, and drug interactions are not available in the provided label text.
At a glance
| Generic name | acetylsalicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ASA, Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin, Bufferin |
| Sponsor | Bayer AG |
| Drug class | NSAID, Antiplatelet agent |
| Target | Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase 1, Nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, Acid-sensing ion channel 3 |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1899-03-06 (Germany) |
| Annual revenue | 1000 |
Mechanism of action
Aspirin irreversibly acetylates cyclooxygenase enzymes, permanently blocking the production of prostaglandins (which mediate pain and inflammation) and thromboxane A2 (which promotes platelet aggregation). This dual action makes it unique among NSAIDs — at low doses (75-100mg daily) it is used for cardiovascular protection by preventing blood clots, while at higher doses (300-900mg) it provides analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. First synthesized by Bayer in 1897, aspirin is the oldest NSAID still in widespread use and remains on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.
Approved indications
- Arthritic Pain
- Backache
- Common cold
- Headache disorder
- Influenza-like symptoms
- Joint pain
- Migraine
- Myocardial infarction
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sinus headache
- Toothache
Common side effects
Key clinical trials
- Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Drug Eluting Stents in "Real World" - Results From the FReIburger STent Registry (N/A)
- A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Analyst-blinded, Parallel Group Study to Investigate the Effect of Antithrombotic Triple Therapy With Ticagrelor and Acetylsalicylic Acid in Combination With Dab (Phase 4)
- Comparison Between the Effect of Aspirin and SGLT2 Inhibitor Intake in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver on Liver Enzymes, Lipid Profile, and the Results of FibroScan (NA)
- Vascular Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (Phase 1)
- The Role of DLBS1033 in The Management of Acute Non-ST Elevation of Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) Without Early Coronary Revascularization (Phase 2)
- Effects of Combinated Administration of Lysine Acetylsalicylate Versus Prasugrel and Aspirin on Platelet Aggregation in Healthy Volunteers (Phase 1)
- Biological Efficacy of Twice Daily Aspirin in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Coronary Artery Disease (N/A)
- Antiplatelet Therapy for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (Phase 4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| SEC EDGAR | Revenue + earnings |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Aspirin CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Aspirin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Bayer AG portfolio CI