Pharmacology Notes: Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)

Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. It effectively inhibits the production of prostaglandins.

1. Chemical Properties

The chemical formula for Aspirin is C₉H₈O₄. It acts as an acetylating agent.

Mechanism of Action

"Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, thereby blocking prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis."

2. Dosage & Administration

Indication	Adult Dosage	Frequency
Pain / Fever	325 - 650 mg	Every 4-6 hours
Acute Coronary Syndrome	160 - 325 mg	Chew immediately
Stroke Prevention	81 mg	Daily

3. Adverse Effects

• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Reye's syndrome (in children)

4. Structure (Code Representation)

// Simplified representation of Acetylsalicylic Acid
struct Aspirin {
    chemical_formula: "C9H8O4",
    molar_mass: 180.158, // g/mol
    melting_point: 135,  // °C
}

For more details, visit the PubChem Database.