Aspirin Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Aspirin is a common pain reliever used by people all over the world. Acetylsalicylic Acid is the chemical name for aspirin (ASA). It is still one of the most prevalent and oldest versions of the medicine, which is used as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic prescription. 

Aspirin or 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid are other names for it. It appears as a crystalline powder that ranges in color from white to colourless. It has no odor in general, but when exposed to moist air, it develops an acetic acid odour. It has a flashpoint of 482 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s most commonly utilized in pain, inflammation, and fever medications.

What is Aspirin?

Aspirin is one of the safest and most effective medicines available, and it is widely used over the world, as evidenced by its inclusion on the WHO’s List of Essential Medicines. 

Aspirin is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine), but it inhibits platelet activity. It’s not safe to use during pregnancy or if your child has an illness. It also has a variety of side effects, such as ringing in the ears, Reye syndrome, nausea, upset stomach, headache, and so on. 

Chemical Formula of Aspirin 

The Chemical Formula of Aspirin is C₉H₈O₄ and commonly known as Acetylsalicylic acid which is a prototypical analgesic .

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a strong, irreversible inhibitor of platelet aggregation, although it loses its potency after deacetylation to salicylic acid in the first pass ( SA). Acetylsalicylic acid was first introduced to the pharmacy business over a century ago. While it was originally intended to be used as an analgesic, physicians quickly realized that it has a wide range of additional medical applications. 

Felix Hoffman, a German scientist, joined the Bayer Pharmaceutical Company in 1894. He returned to Brugnatelli and Fontana’s salicin, which had been further refined by scientists to make pure salicylic acid, in pursuit of medication to relieve the pain of his father’s arthritis. 

Structure of Aspirin

Acetylsalicylic Acid, like other compounds, does not exist naturally in nature. Its origin goes back to 1853 and it is not found in nature. In that year, a French scientist named Charles Frédéric Gerhardt produced aspirin for the first time. 

Structure of Aspirin 

Physical Properties of Aspirin

1. Acetylsalicylic Acid is a crystalline substance that is colourless to white.
2. It has an odor that is comparable to vinegar. This odour is caused by the hydrolysis of Acetylsalicylic Acid, which produces salicylic and acetic acid.
3. Aspirin has a bitter taste.
4. It has a density of 1.40 g mL^-1.
5. Acetylsalicylic Acid has a melting point of 135 degrees Celsius. It will decompose if maintained at higher temperatures.
6. Water, ethyl ether, ethanol, and chloroform are all soluble in Acetylsalicylic Acid. 

Chemical Properties of Aspirin

Acetylsalicylic Acid is most often known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Because it inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, it has a mode of action. As a result, Prostaglandin production is suppressed (prostaglandins are molecules that are present in the process of inflammation). 

• When it comes into contact with moist air, it hydrolyzes. Despite the fact that it is stable in dry air.
• In the presence of ammonium acetate, carbonates, citrates, or alkali metal hydroxides, it decomposes quickly.
• When it is in powdered form, it can be explosive when mixed with air.
• It has anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, and analgesic properties. 

Uses of Aspirin

Aspirin has a number of advantages, ranging from pain relief to lower the chance of serious illnesses including heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin is a widely used medication. It exists in a range of preparations, including capsules, water-soluble pills, powders, and oral gels. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication used to treat cardiovascular disease. 

• Acetylsalicylic acid is a cyclooxygenase inhibitor.
• It is used to prevent thrombosis in the veins and arteries.
• It is used in the treatment of a wide range of headaches.
• It works as an anti-inflammatory for both chronic and acute inflammation.
• It is believed to lower the overall risk of developing cancer and dying from it.
• After a heart attack, aspirin is a critical component of the recovery process.
• It’s the first-line therapy for acute rheumatic fever and joint discomfort. 

Sample Questions 

Question 1: Is aspirin used to thin the blood?

Answer:

It may help by interfering with how blood clots form in order to prevent a heart attack or clot-related stroke. However, the same qualities that make aspirin serve as a blood thinner to keep it from clotting can also induce unexpected side effects, such as bleeding in the brain or stomach. 

Question 2: What is the purpose of aspirin in an emergency?

Answer: 

Aspirin is one of the safest drugs for heart disease emergency treatment: aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that interferes with the coagulation process and may be used successfully in conjunction with other blood thinners after a possible heart attack .

Question 3: What kind of pain can aspirin help with?

Answer:

Aspirin is a common pain reliever for aches and pains such as headaches, toothaches, and menstruation discomfort. It may also be used to treat colds and flu-like symptoms, as well as to minimise  hot temperatures . It’s also known as acid acetylsalicylic acid. . 

Question 4: What is the function of acetylsalicylic acid?

Answer:

Aspirin can lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes by inhibiting the body’s pain receptors chemically. Aspirin prevents platelets in your blood from shrinking and clogging your arteries, lowering the risk of clotting and increasing blood flow to your heart and brain. 

Question 5: Is acetylsalicylic acid soluble in ethanol?

Answer:

Aspirin is soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, DMSO, and dimethyl formamide, which must be purged with inert gas. Aspirin solubility in these solvents is around 80, 41, and 30 mg/ml, respectively.

Question 6: Who Shouldn’t Take Aspirin?

Answer: 

Aspirin is safe for most adults over the age of 16. However, aspirin is not appropriate for everyone. Never give aspirin to a child under the age of 16 unless their doctor recommends it. There could be a connection between aspirin and Reye Syndrome in newborns.  

Question 7: What are the health risks associated with Aspirin ?

Answer:

• Skin or ocular contact, ingestion, and inhalation are all potential routes of exposure.
• Symptoms include eye irritation, upper respiratory system irritation, skin irritation, increased blood clotting time, vomiting, and nausea.
• Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is frequently used to treat minor aches and pains and to reduce fever.
  It is also an anti-inflammatory medication that may be used to thin the blood.