Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) - which is marketed in Bayer's familiar Over-the-Counter product range under the trade name Aspirin® and Bayer Aspirin® - has now enjoyed safe and effective use for 100 years, initially as a pain reliever, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory agent. It has proven effective as a general pain reliever and is routinely used in a wide range of pain indications, including headache, body and muscle ache, arthritis and many more.

Today Aspirin® is also routinely taken by millions of people for its antithrombotic effect. Patients with a prior cardiovascular event, stroke or evolving myocardial infarction benefit from the lifesaving preventative properties of acetylsalicylic acid. The high benefit-to-risk ratio of daily, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid intake makes it the ideal cost-effective drug recommended by the medical community. In addition to the proven lifesaving benefits of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid therapy among patients who have experienced a vascular event, emerging data indicate significant preventative benefits for people with multiple risk factors (e.g. obesity, smoking, high blood pressure) who have not yet experienced an event. Physicians increasingly recommend routine therapy with acetylsalicylic acid, which significantly reduces the risk of death from a cardiovascular event. Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid also helps prevent life-threatening vascular complications connected with diabetes, such as retinopathy and nephropathy.
 

Scientific research into the mechanisms of action and new therapeutic effects of cetylsalicylic acid indicates that the future has just begun. Among the more widely studied and most promising new uses of acetylsalicylic acid is the prevention of colorectal cancers. Observational studies have already identified a 40% reduction in the risk of death from colon cancer among those who frequently use acetylsalicylic acid . No fewer than seven studies are currently investigating the potential benefits of acetylsalicylic acid in preventing colon cancer. Acetylsalicylic acid therapy may be effective in preventing other types of cancers as well.

Alzheimer's disease is another area for study of NSAIDs, which include acetylsalicylic acid. Early studies suggest that such anti-inflammatory drugs as acetylsalicylic acid may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and slow its progression among those diagnosed early.

Studies of acetylsalicylic acid for treatment of other diseases are in the early stages as well. Potentially fruitful areas include prevention of migraine headache, amelioration of herpes zoster outbreaks and pre-eclampsia, atherosclerosis prevention and additional combinations with other drugs.