Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jan 26, 2023

Drug Details


Generic Name:

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA)

Common Brands:

Maximum Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Buffered Aspirin, Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Genuine Bayer Aspirin, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Joseph Adult Chewable Aspirin, Bayer Children’s Aspirin, Bayer Women’s Low-Dose Aspirin

Availability:

Over-the-counter and prescription

Therapeutic Class:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Forms:

Tablet, chewable tablet, delayed-release tablet, powder, gum, and rectal suppository

Administration:

By mouth or in the rectum (suppository)

Therapeutic Uses:

  • To treat fever.
  • To treat pain (headache, menstrual pain, muscle aches, toothache, arthritis).
  • To lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
  • To lower the risk of death in patients with heart disease, including unstable angina (chest pain) or a history of previous heart attack.
  • High-dose aspirin (prescription aspirin) may be used to treat rheumatologic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Controlled Status:

Not a controlled substance


Aspirin Drug Class

Aspirin (as-pih-rin) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Aspirin Age Range

Aspirin is approved for use in adults and children over the age of 3 years. However, aspirin should be used with extreme caution in children and teenagers (anyone under 18 years of age) because of the risk of a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome, which is associated with swelling of the liver and brain. Children who are recovering from a viral infection such as the flu or chickenpox should never be given aspirin.