How Aspirin Works

Over the past 100 years, aspirin has been used more than any other medication for the relief of pain. It was the first universally available pain reliever and even today it is used more than any other over-the-counter pain reliever all over the world.

Pain and Inflamation

Yet while its effectiveness was well established, it was not until 1971 that doctors learned the secret of why aspirin was so effective in relieving pain. The process was discovered by British pharmacologist Sir John Vane, who found that aspirin worked by inhibiting the body's production of a hormone-like substance called prostaglandin, which is one of the building blocks that causes pain by stimulating muscle contractions and blood vessel dilation.

Dr. Vane's research in this area received the Nobel Prize in 1982.

Aspirin was also found to reduce inflammation and swelling commonly associated with injuries, as well as from arthritis.

Fights Cardiovascular Disease

Aspirin prevents blood clots by preventing platelets from releasing the prostaglandin thromboxane which causes platelets to clump together in a blood clot. Aspirin's "anti-coagulant" action can help prevent potentially fatal circulatory problems.

Aspirin is the only over the counter pain reliever approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prevention of cardiovascular disease in persons who have suffered a first heart attack or a transient ischemic attack (TIA-stroke) or who have unstable angina.

Professional Information

The understanding of aspirin's role in helping prevent stroke continues to grow. New research suggests that aspirin helps reduce the inflammation of blood vessels which in turn lessens the risk of a thrombotic stroke.