Aspirin Aspirin is a white crystalline substance composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever, headache, neuralgia, colds and arthritis; reduce temperature and pain. The formula of aspirin is CH3CO2C6H4CO2H. The scientific name of aspirin is actylsalicylic acid (ASA). The main ingredient of ASA is salicylic acid. This ingredient grows in small roots, leaves, flowers and fruits on plants. About 100 years ago, a German chemist, Felix Hoffmann, set out to find a drug that would relieve his father's arthritis without causing severe stomach irritation from sodium salicylate, the standard anti-arthritis treatment of the time. Hoffmann guessed that the acidity of salicylate made it harsh on the stomach lining. He began looking for a less acidic formulation. His research led him to the synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid. The compounds shared the therapeutic properties of other salicylates, but caused less stomach irritation. ASA reduced fever, relieved moderate pain, and, at higher doses, relieved rheumatic fever and arthritic conditions. Although Hoffmann was confident that ASA would prove more effective than other salicylates, but his superiors incorrectly stated that ASA weakens the heart and that doctors would not subscribe to it. Hoffmann's employer, Friedrich Bayer and Company, gave ASA its now famous name, aspirin. It is not yet fully known how aspirin works, but most authorities agree that it achieves some of its effects by hindering the flow of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that influence the elasticity of blood vessels. John Vane, Ph. D., observed that many forms of tissue damage are followed by the release of prostaglandins. Prostaglandin was shown to cause redness and fever, common signs of inflammation. Vane's research has shown that by blocking the flow of prostaglandins, aspirin prevents blood from clumping and forming blood clots. Aspirin can be used for temporary relief of headaches, achy aches and colds, muscle aches and pains, and temporary relief of minor arthritis pain, toothache. and menstrual pain. Aspirin should not be used in patients who have an allergic reaction to aspirin and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The usual dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is one or two tablets with water. This may be repeated every 4 hours as needed up to 12 tablets per day or as directed by your doctor. Aspirin should not be given to children under 12 years of age. An overdose of between 200 and 500 mg/kg is fatal. The first symptoms of overdose are vomiting, hypernea, hyperactivity and convulsions. This rapidly progresses to depression, coma, respiratory failure and collapse. In case of overdose, intensive supportive therapy