Is aspirin the same as acetylsalicylic acid?

Yes. Acetylsalicylic acid is the generic chemical name for aspirin.

Is low-dose aspirin a general painkiller dose?

No. Low-dose aspirin is commonly used for antiplatelet effects; pain and inflammation regimens are different and have different risks.

Can aspirin cause stomach bleeding?

Yes. Gastrointestinal irritation, ulcers and bleeding are important aspirin risks, especially with other bleeding-risk factors.

Can children take aspirin for fever?

Aspirin is generally avoided for children and teenagers with viral illnesses because of the association with Reye syndrome unless a specialist specifically recommends it.

Can aspirin be stopped before surgery?

That depends on why it is being taken and the procedure. The prescriber or procedural team should make the decision because stopping antiplatelet therapy can also carry risk.

EVIDENCE-BASEDAWAITING CLINICIAN REVIEW

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)

WHO ATCB01AC06INNAcetylsalicylic acid

Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, a salicylate with dose-dependent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects. The reason for taking aspirin matters: low-dose antiplatelet therapy is not interchangeable with self-treatment for pain or fever.

At a glance

Quick facts

Drug snapshot

Drug class: Salicylate; antiplatelet drug and NSAID
Main uses: Pain and fever relief; anti-inflammatory use; prevention and treatment of selected thrombotic cardiovascular events
Route: Oral; rectal products exist in some markets
WHO ATC: B01AC06
Key safety: Bleeding and gastrointestinal injury; hypersensitivity or aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease; avoid unsupervised use in children or teenagers with viral illness because of Reye syndrome risk.
Monitoring: Indication, bleeding risk, gastrointestinal history, kidney function and concomitant antithrombotic medicines.

Names & terminology

How this medicine may be named or searched

Canonical page name: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
INN / generic name: Acetylsalicylic acid
Aliases / salts: aspirin · acetylsalicylic acid · ASA
Russian support entity: acetylsalicylicacid.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source

Structured drug profile

Drug profile

INN data

INNAcetylsalicylic acidInternational nonproprietary / generic name used for this entity.

WHO ATCB01AC06Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification; route-specific codes may differ for some medicines.

Drug classSalicylate; antiplatelet drug and NSAIDPharmacologic / therapeutic class.

MechanismIrreversibly acetylates cyclooxygenase enzymes; at low doses this suppresses platelet thromboxane A2 formation for the life of the platelet.Mechanism summarized at reference level.

RouteOral; rectal products exist in some marketsAvailable routes depend on the specific product.

Main usesPain and fever relief; anti-inflammatory use; prevention and treatment of selected thrombotic cardiovascular eventsApproved indications can differ by country and formulation.

Key safety contextBleeding and gastrointestinal injury; hypersensitivity or aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease; avoid unsupervised use in children or teenagers with viral illness because of Reye syndrome risk.Check exact product labeling and patient-specific contraindications.

Monitoring / reviewIndication, bleeding risk, gastrointestinal history, kidney function and concomitant antithrombotic medicines.Monitoring depends on indication, dose, route and patient factors.

What is Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)?

What is Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) used for?

Pain and fever relief; anti-inflammatory use; prevention and treatment of selected thrombotic cardiovascular events. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. ^[1]

How it works

Irreversibly acetylates cyclooxygenase enzymes; at low doses this suppresses platelet thromboxane A2 formation for the life of the platelet.

Forms and formulations

Immediate-release and gastro-resistant tablets; chewable and other formulations vary by market. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.

Country / market layer

Availability and formulations by market

Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.

Market-specific

🇬🇧

United KingdomSearch current eMC product information

Search eMC ↗

Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.

This English reference was selected because DiseasesConditions.org also maintains an entity relationship to the project’s Russian-language support site acetylsalicylicacid.ru. The Russian site is not used as a clinical source for this page.

How it is used

Take only for the indication and dose on the product label or prescribed plan. Gastro-resistant products should not be crushed unless the specific product permits it. People using aspirin for cardiovascular prevention should not stop it abruptly without discussing the reason with a clinician.

For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.

Side effects

Common problems include dyspepsia, nausea and easier bruising. Gastrointestinal ulceration or bleeding, severe allergy, bronchospasm and intracranial bleeding are less common but clinically important.

Important warnings and monitoring

Urgent assessment is needed for vomiting blood, black stools, severe breathing difficulty, facial swelling or signs of major bleeding. Aspirin is not routinely recommended for children and adolescents with viral infections. People with active peptic ulcer disease, bleeding disorders or aspirin-sensitive asthma need specific medical advice.

Monitoring context: Indication, bleeding risk, gastrointestinal history, kidney function and concomitant antithrombotic medicines.

Interactions

Bleeding risk rises with anticoagulants, other antiplatelet medicines, corticosteroids, alcohol excess and many NSAIDs. Ibuprofen can also interfere with aspirin’s antiplatelet effect depending on timing. A medication review is important when aspirin is used long term.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy use depends on indication and dose. Low-dose aspirin is deliberately prescribed in some pregnancies, while analgesic/anti-inflammatory doses later in pregnancy can be harmful. Use the exact obstetric or product guidance rather than self-treating.

Overdose and accidental extra doses

Overdose can cause tinnitus, sweating, vomiting, acid-base disturbances, confusion, rapid breathing and severe toxicity. Suspected overdose needs urgent poison-centre or emergency assessment.

Practical clinical context

The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.

This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site acetylsalicylicacid.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

AWAITING CLINICIAN REVIEW

Sources

Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.

1. MedlinePlus. Aspirin Drug Information. Source ↗
2. DailyMed. Aspirin product labeling search. Source ↗

This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.