Aspirin Prototypical NSAID

Aspirin is the oldest and most widely used NSAID, and other NSAIDs are compared with aspirin in terms of efficacy and safety. Hence, this discussion focuses primarily on the clinical applications of aspirin and the problems typically associated with aspirin. For the most part, clinical use and problems can also be applied to most nonaspirin NSAIDs. The major similarities and differences between aspirin and the other NSAIDs are discussed in Comparison of Aspirin with Other NSAIDs.  

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Most of the NSAIDs are organic acids but they form a heterogeneous group of compounds with few further chemical relationships. At least 10 different groups can be distinguished. Some of the most frequently used groups are listed in Table 3. The prototype is aspirin and therefore the term aspirin-like drugs is frequently used. 

Aspirin is one of the most important NSAIDs because it decreases pain at predominantly peripheral sites with little cortical interaction and thus has few CNS effects. The prototypical COX-2 inhibitors are celecoxib (Celebrex) and its chemical cousin, rofecoxib (Vioxx). In addition to a role in inflammatory processes,... 

Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid, an ester of acetic acid, is the oldest known NSAID and the prototype of the salicylate drugs (Collier 1971, Rogstad Yndestad 1981). In addition to inhibition of COX, salicylates inhibit the formation and release of kinins, stabilize lysosomes and uncouple oxidative phosphorylation (Boothe 1995). In horses, the half-life of aspirin is very short. For example, in ponies, the elimination half-life of aspirin administered i.v. at a dose rate of 19 mg/kg was determined to be approximately 7min (Lees et al 1987a). 

Aspirin today must be considered the prototype mild analgetic and antiinflammatory agent. NSAIDs are still evaluated by comparison to it. Physicians still consider it the first agent of choice for the treatment of rheumatic conditions. 

A. Classification and Prototypes Antiplatelet drugs include aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory dmgs (NSAIDs), dipyridamole and inhibitors of ADP receptors (ticlopidine and clopidogrel), and glycoprotein TIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (abciximab, tirofiban, and epti-fibatide). These drugs increase bleeding time, a test used to monitor their effects. 

A. Classification and Prototypes Aspirin (acetylsaUcylic acid) is the prototype of the salicylates. The other older nonselective NSAIDs (ibuprofen, indomethacin, many others) vary primarily in their potency, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effectiveness, and duration of action. Ibu-... 

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