Final answer:
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is a pharmaceutical product classified as an NSAID used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. It acts by modifying COX enzymes, reducing the production of prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspirin, known chemically as acetylsalicylic acid, is a pharmaceutical product used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. Being a member of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin works by inhibiting the synthesis of certain chemicals in the body, such as prostaglandins, which are involved in pain and inflammation processes. It was first marketed in 1899 and has been widely used since then, despite potential side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding and Reye's syndrome.
Aspirin's action is based on the inactivation of the cyclooxygenases (COX) enzymes through the transfer of an acetyl group to the enzyme's active site. Because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, it is also encountered in combination with other pain relievers, although its use should be carefully monitored due to side effects.