Question

Aspirin (ASA) is an over-the-counter drug that is found in many other drugs. What is the mechanism of action for aspirin?

Answer 1

Aspirin can be described as a drug which shows anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. It is one of the most widely used drugs. Aspirin inhibits the COX-1 (cyclooxygenase-1). Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the enzyme which is known to cause inflammation, aches, swellings fever etc by forming prostaglandins (PGs). Hence, aspirin works by inhibiting this enzyme. Aspirin also inhibits COX-2 from the production of prostaglandins but it allows the COX-2 enzymes to produce lipid mediators.