Category: pharmacological
Aliases: Acetylsalicylic acid, ASA
Irreversibly acetylates [[arachidonic_acid_cascade]] COX-1 (platelets, GI mucosa) + COX-2 (inflammation). At low dose (81 mg), COX-1 inhibition dominates → [[platelet_aggregation]] TxA2 suppression → antiplatelet for 7–10 d (RBC lifetime). At higher dose, COX-2 contributes → analgesia, anti-inflammation. Unique vs other NSAIDs in being the only one that irreversibly inhibits platelet function.
PO: 0.3h