Aspirin :: essays research papers

AspirinAspirin is a white crystalline substance do of carbon, hydrogen, andoxygen. It is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever, headaches, neuralgia,colds, and arthritis reduce temperature and pain. The formula for aspirin isCH3CO2C6H4CO2H. Aspirins scientific name is actylsalicylic acid (ASA). Themain ingredient in ASA is salicylic acid. This ingredient grows in small roots,leaves, flowers and fruits on plants.About 100 years ago, a German chemist, Felix Hoffmann, set out to find adrug that would ease his fathers arthritis without causing laborious stomachirritation that came from sodium salicylate, the standard anti-arthritistreatment of the time. Hoffmann figured that the acidity of the salicylate madeit hard on the stomachs lining. He began looking for a less acid-forming formulation.His search led him to the synthesization of acetylsalicylic acid. The compoundshared the therapeutic properties of other salicylates, but caused less stomachirritation. ASA reduced fever, reli eved moderate pain, and, at higher doses, better rheumatic fever and arthritic conditions.Though Hoffmann was confident that ASA would prove more affective thanother salicylates, but his superiors incorrectly stated that ASA weakens theheart and that physicians would non take it. Hoffmanns employer,Friedrich Bayer and Company, gave ASA its now famous name, aspirin.It is not yet fully known how aspirin works, but most authorities agreethat it achieves some of its effects by hindering the flow of prostaglandins.Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that influence the elasticity ofblood vessels. John Vane, Ph. D., noted that many forms of tissue injury werefollowed by the release of prostaglandins. It was proved that prostaglndinscaused fervor and fever, common signs of inflammation. Vanes research showedthat by blocking the flow of prostaglandins, aspirin prevented blood fromaggregating and forming blood clots.Aspirin can be used for the temporary relief of headaches, unutter ablediscomfort and fever from colds, muscular aches and pains, and temporary reliefto minor pains of arthritis, toothaches, and menstrual pain. Aspirin should notbe used in patients who have an supersensitized reaction to aspirin and/or nonsteroidalanti-inflammatory agents.The usual adult dosage for adults and children over the age of 12 is oneor two tablets with water. This whitethorn be repeated every 4 hours as necessary upto 12 tablets a day or as directed by your doctor. You should not give aspirinto children under the age of 12. An overdose of 200 to 500 mg/kg is in thefatal range. Early symptoms of overdose are vomiting, hypernea, hyperactivity,and convulsions. This progresses rapidly to depression, coma, respiratoryfailure and collapse. In case of an overdose, intensive supportive therapy