[Pharmacology of aspirin].
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is the best-known salicylate and belongs to the non steroid anti-inflammatory drug class. Despite wide use being made since more than 100 years, knowledge about mechanism of action and therapeutic issues continually evolves. The main mechanism of action is prostaglandin synthesis inhibition. This is achieved through inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS) or cyclooxygenase (COX) synthesis. Most of the therapeutic uses of aspirin are explained by this mechanism. Nevertheless aspirin uses change as time goes by: if the main one during the first fifty years was an analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory one, the last fifty years saw aspirin being used mainly as an anti-thrombotic agent, in primary and secondary thrombo-embolic prevention. Better knowledge of mechanism of action points today at, on one hand, more selective and therefore better tolerated molecules, and, on the other hand, at new therapeutic applications, such as anti-cancer and neurodegenerative diseases prevention.
Tanasescu
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S
Service de pharmacologie, CHU de Rouen-Boisguillaume, France.
Lévesque
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H
Thuillez
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D012202:Reye Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin