Acetylsalicylic Acid or Aspirin – for Pain relief

Non-Opioid, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

What are NSAIDs?

Acetylsalicylic Acid is a drug in the Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) category. NSAIDs are a collective class of compounds widely used in several different types of indications. The drugs under this class have effects ranging from analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protection, with varying levels of effectiveness. Some are also being used for cancer chemoprevention. These are one of the most commonly available OTC (over the counter) drugs.

The most common of them include paracetamol, diclofenac, and aspirin. They are sometimes, also referred to as non-narcotic, non-opioid, or aspirin-like analgesics.

Acetylsalicylic Acid Drug Profile

Parameters	Description
Category of Drug	Acetylsalicylic Acid is popularly known as Aspirin. It is an Analgesics, Antipyretics, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.
Mechanism of Action	Acetylsalicylic acid (1) binds to and acetylates serine residues in cyclooxygenases, resulting in decreased synthesis of prostaglandin, platelet aggregation, and inflammation. This agent exhibits analgesic, antipyretic, and anticoagulant properties.
Indications	Acetylsalicylic Acid is used for 1. Management of mild to moderate pain 2. Pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis 3. Management of pain such as headache, acute migraine attacks, transient musculoskeletal pain, dysmenorrhoeal pain and for reducing fever
Structure
Molecular details	Weight: 180.1574 Chemical Formula- C9H8O4
IUPAC Name	2-acetyloxybenzoic acid
Pharmacokinetic properties	1. Protein binding-50% to 90% 2. Major metabolites- salicylic acid, salicyluric acid, the ether or phenolic glucuronide and the ester or acyl glucuronide 3. half-life- 13 – 19 minutes 4. Excretion of salicylates -through the kidney 5. elimination- 10% to 85% in the urine
Well Known Pharmaceutical Brands	1. ECOSPRIN- U S V 2. LOPRIN- TORRENT PHARMA 3. DELISPRIN- ARISTO PHARMA 4. DISPRIN- RECKITT BENCKISER
Available dosage forms	TABLETS
Storage conditions	Store at a temperature not exceeding 30⁰C and protected from moisture.
Dose	Adults- 0.3 to 0.9g, 3 to 4 times a day (max. 4g daily) Children- not recommended under 16 years
Contraindications	1. Hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid or any other NSAID 2. Children and adolescents under 16 years 3. Gastrointestinal ulceration 4. Haemophilia and other bleeding disorders 5. Not for the treatment of gout 6. Severe renal or hepatic impairment 7. Lactation.
Precautions	1. Asthma, allergic disease 2. Impaired renal or hepatic function 3. lactation 4. Pregnancy 5. Elderly
Adverse Effects	1. Generally mild and infrequent with lower dosage 2. Gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea 3. ulceration with occult bleeding. 4. Vertigo 5. Confusion 6. Hypersensitivity Reactions 7. tinnitus
Pregnancy Category	D

References:

• National Formulary
• NSAIDs: Pain Relief, Classification, Uses
• Aspirin: Antithrombotic Drug and its Pharmacology
• Drug profile of Aspirin