When did Aspirin® first appear?
The active ingredient in Aspirin®, acetylsalicylic acid, was
synthesized for the first time in a chemically pure and thus stable
form in 1897 by a young chemist working for Bayer, Dr. Felix Hoffmann.
At that time, there were very few options for the treatment of patients
suffering from pain. The preferred treatment for pain, fever and
inflammation in Hoffmann's day, the active substance salicylic acid,
had one decisive disadvantage - it was very poorly tolerated. Legend
has it that Dr. Hoffmann discovered acetylsalicylic acid in a fortuitous
experiment while searching for a remedy that would be better tolerated
by his father, who was plagued by rheumatoid arthritis.
The new substance with its surprisingly simple chemical structure
rapidly proved its superiority in clinical trials - it is highly
effective and relatively well tolerated. In 1899, acetylsalicylic
acid was launched on the German market under the trademark Aspirin®.
Today, Aspirin® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG in Germany
and more than 80 other countries. In countries where Aspirin®
is not protected by trademark status, such as the United States,
the term Aspirin® can be used generically for all products containing
the active substance acetylsalicylic acid. However, genuine Aspirin®,
renowned the world over, is only available with the Bayer Cross.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
How does Aspirin® work?
The active ingredient in Aspirin® is acetylsalicylic acid, or
ASA. In contrast to many other commonly used drugs, acetylsalicylic
acid's mechanism of action has been thoroughly documented and described.
We now know that even small doses of less than 100 mg acetylsalicylic
acid, equivalent to, for example, one 100 mg Aspirin® tablet,
inhibit the body's production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins
are extremely effective, hormone-like substances that are produced
by the body in miniscule quantities and are involved in the regulation
of such varied processes as pain, fever and inflammation, the inducement
of birth contractions, the development of malignant tumors (cancer)
or the obstruction of blood vessels by thrombi.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
How well is acetylsalicylic acid
tolerated?
Acetylsalicylic acid is well tolerated and has been used effectively
by millions of people for over 100 years. While some people have
shied away from acetylsalicylic acid because they fear it will upset
their stomach, most people have no trouble taking acetylsalicylic
acid - in fact, less than six percent of the population cannot take
acetylsalicylic acid due to stomach upset.
Acetylsalicylic acid is both well tolerated and effective, yet like
all drugs, it may have undesirable side effects. People who are
allergic to acetylsalicylic acid, or have asthma, persisting or
recurring stomach problems (such as heartburn, upset stomach or
stomach pain), ulcers or bleeding problems should not take acetylsalicylic
acid unless directed by a doctor. Also, children and teenagers presenting
febrile diseases should not take acetylsalicylic acid without prior
consultation of a doctor. If persistent vomiting occurs during treatment,
this may be a sign of Reye's Syndrome, a rare but serious illness
reported to be possibly acetylsalicylic acidociated with acetylsalicylic
acid. Anyone taking acetylsalicylic acid or any other OTC drugs
on a regular basis should talk to their doctor. For more information
on warnings and drug interactions, please refer to the product information
section (patient information leaflet).
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
What is Reye's Syndrome?
Reye's syndrome is a rare but very serious illness reported to be
possibly acetylsalicylic acidociated with acetylsalicylic acid.
Children and teenagers should not use acetylsalicylic acid for chicken
pox, flu symptoms or other febrile diseases before a doctor is consulted.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Can I use acetylsalicylic acid
if I am taking other medications?
Ask your doctor or health care professional before taking any over-the-counter
pain relief products if you are already taking other medications.
Acetylsalicylic acid can be taken safely with most prescription
drugs. Do not use acetylsalicylic acid if you are taking a prescription
drug for anticoagulation (thinning the blood), diabetes, gout or
arthritis unless directed by a doctor.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Can I use acetylsalicylic acid
if I'm diabetic?
Diabetics should take acetylsalicylic acid as analgesic only under
a doctor's supervision, with careful blood glucose monitoring. Combining
acetylsalicylic acid or similar drugs with oral anti-diabetes drugs
can decrease blood sugar levels more than expected.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Are there certain circumstances
in which I should not take acetylsalicylic acid?
People who are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid, have asthma, persisting
or recurring stomach problems (such as heartburn, upset stomach
or stomach pain), ulcers or bleeding problems should not take acetylsalicylic
acid unless directed by a doctor.
Anyone taking a drug for anticoagulation (thinning of the blood),
diabetes, gout or arthritis should not take acetylsalicylic acid
unless directed by a doctor.
" As with any drug, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek
the advice of a health care professional before using this product.
"
" It is especially important not to use Aspirin® during the
last three months of pregnancy unless specifically directed to do
so by a doctor, because it may cause problems in the unborn child
or complications during delivery. "
Also, children and teenagers should not take acetylsalicylic acid
for chicken pox, flu symptoms or other febrile diseases before a
doctor is consulted. If persistent vomiting occurs during treatment,
this may be a sign of Reye's Syndrome, a rare but serious illness
reported to be possibly acetylsalicylic acidociated with acetylsalicylic
acid. If you have any concerns about taking acetylsalicylic acid
consult your doctor.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
How does acetylsalicylic acid affect
the blood?
The first step in our body's blood clotting mechanism is for particles
in the blood, called platelets, to stick together and form a clot.
This process is triggered by certain chemical messengers. Acetylsalicylic
acid reduces the effect of these messengers, thus decreasing the
ability of the platelets to clump together, so that clots cannot
form as easily.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Can I still use Aspirin® after
the expiration date?
No, it is not recommended to use any over-the-counter product beyond
the labeled expiration date. Like all drugs, Aspirin® can deteriorate
over time and not be as effective. Be sure to check the package
for the expiration date.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
What is an NSAID?
NSAID is an abbreviation for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
OTC analgesics in this family include acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen,
ketoprofen, and naproxen sodium.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Are all acetylsalicylic acid products
the same?
The active ingredient in acetylsalicylic acid products may be the
same. Aspirin® is produced under stringent quality control standards.
Aspirin®, which people has trusted for over 100 years, meets
some of the highest quality standards in the drug industry, going
through over 100 quality control checks.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
What do we know about Aspirin®
and Stomach Upset?
Aspirin® has been around longer and has been more extensively
tested than any other analgesic, demonstrating that it is both a
well-tolerated and effective choice for pain relief. In almost all
cases, the benefits of Aspirin® significantly outweigh its possible
side effects when taken as directed. Like all other drugs, it has
both positive and negative aspects, and warnings and precautions
must be observed.
What do we know about Aspirin® and Stomach Upset? Aspirin®
has been around longer and has been more extensively tested than
any other analgesic, demonstrating that it is both a well-tolerated
and effective choice for pain relief. In almost all cases, the benefits
of Aspirin® significantly outweigh its possible side effects
when taken as directed. Like all other drugs, it has both positive
and negative aspects, and warnings and precautions must be observed.
While world-wide more Aspirin® tablets are taken each year than
any other over-the-counter pain reliever, stomach upset still remains
a concern among consumers. It's a widespread misconception that
people have trouble tolerating acetylsalicylic acid, the active
ingredient in Aspirin®, because in reality, less than six percent
of the population cannot take Aspirin® due to stomach upset.
For many people, taking Aspirin® with food alleviates this problem;
taking a buffered formula - such as Aspirin® chewable or Aspirin®
plus C effervescent tablets - can further minimize the chance of
stomach upset.
People with a prior history of gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort
(such as ulcers, stomach bleeding and erosions) should check with
their physician before taking acetylsalicylic acid.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
What is meant by "safety coating"
or "enteric coating"?
Enteric coating is a delayed-release safety coating. It is designed
to allow the Aspirin® tablet to pacetylsalicylic acid through
the stomach to the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) before dissolving.
This delayed release coating means that it will take 2-4 hours for
the acetylsalicylic acid to be absorbed. For this reason, products
with enteric coating are not recommended for quick pain relief;
enteric-coated Aspirin® is most often used by patients who are
taking acetylsalicylic acid on a daily basis under their doctor's
supervision or recommendation.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Where can I buy this product?
The various BAYER Aspirin® formulas are available in pharmacies
(Europe), in drug stores, food stores or mass merchandisers. If
you cannot find it in your local store, ask the store manager to
order it for you. We have found that most store managers make their
purchasing decisions on the basis of consumer interest.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Why does the original Aspirin®
cost more than the generic brands?
Branded products generally cost more than generics due to the additional
costs of product support and development. For example: The makers
of Aspirin® have been at the forefront of research and development
for the acetylsalicylic acid ingredient for over 100 years. Development
of educational material and communication tools (such as online
information) are more often services offered by manufacturers from
branded products. Funding for these projects is part of the price
we must charge for the product.
Read the package insert and directions for use
before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
Can I take acetylsalicylic acid
if I am pregnant?
Pregnant women often take acetylsalicylic acid, for example to relieve
headache. This sometimes happens before the pregnancy has even been
detected. There is no cause for concern in either of these cases.
Clinical studies have shown that when used correctly (i.e. on occasion
and at the standard, prescription-free dose), acetylsalicylic acid
is safe for both mother and child.
However, in the last trimester of pregnancy, acetylsalicylic acid
should not be taken by pregnant women due to the risk of a contraction-inhibiting
effect. If use of an analgesic is indicated at this point in pregnancy,
consult your doctor and take an alternative analgesic substance
such as paracetamol. However, if acetylsalicylic acid is prescribed
by your doctor to prevent pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
(preeclampsia), it may be taken at any time during pregnancy.
Read the package insert and directions for
use before using Aspirin®. For further information on benefits,
risks and side effects please consult your physician or pharmacist!
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