Aspirin traces its roots back over a century, but the story began long before it acquired a trade name. People used willow bark extracts for pain and fever centuries ago, and it took the ingenuity of late-19th-century chemists to isolate and modify the active compound. Felix Hoffmann’s work at Bayer in 1897 led to acetylsalicylic acid—now universally known as aspirin. This discovery didn't happen overnight; earlier scientists like Charles Frédéric Gerhardt experimented with acetylation, but their results—unstable, poorly characterized—kept the breakthrough at bay. The rise of aspirin paralleled a broader push toward scientifically produced, reproducible medicines. After Bayer's release, aspirin became a global staple, riding waves of trust through world wars, pandemics, and mounting evidence. The journey reflects how curiosity and persistence, mixed with commercial drive, can turn folk remedies into household standards.
Aspirin fills a space few chemicals touch: pain relief, fever reduction, and, after mid-20th-century discoveries, prevention of blood clots. The tiny white tablets or powders have become so common that folks barely pause to consider what hides beneath the coating. Unlike heavily processed, designer drugs, aspirin relies on a straightforward structure—acetylsalicylic acid—without a tangled mesh of molecular bells and whistles. Its widespread availability, low cost, and trusted profile anchor its position not just in medicine cabinets at home, but also in field kits, hospitals, and ambulances.
Acetylsalicylic acid forms as a crystalline powder, nearly odorless, with a faintly sour taste. It melts at about 136°C. Aspirin dissolves slowly in water, yet reacts rapidly in the slightly alkaline environment of the stomach, breaking down into salicylic acid and acetic acid. Chemists recognize aspirin by its carboxyl and ester functional groups—features that produce not just its analgesic effect but also limits on its shelf life, since the compound wants to hydrolyze in the presence of enough moisture. Over time, the smell of vinegar signals degradation, explaining why dry storage matters. Pharmacists, clinicians, and industry workers handle these properties every day—even small shifts in humidity or temperature in warehouses threaten aspirin’s potency.
Most aspirin tablets for adults contain 325 mg or the “baby aspirin” dose of 81 mg, marked on every commercial package. Regulations require careful labeling that spells out not just the milligram amount, but also warnings about use in children, those with certain allergies, and anyone with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding disorders. Packages bear the molecular formula C9H8O4 and spell out inactive ingredients to flag potential allergens. U.S. Pharmacopeia and other pharmacopeias worldwide set the bar for purity and composition, expecting tablets to contain precise percentages of active compound, minimal impurities, and meet rigorous standards for dissolution. Safety seals, expiry dates, dosage directions, and icons of stomachs sometimes warn of gastric irritation—reminding users to never just pop pills blindly.
Synthesis of aspirin follows a textbook acetylation process in the lab. Chemists mix salicylic acid with acetic anhydride, adding a catalytic splash of sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid, and let the solution react. The product, acetylsalicylic acid, crystallizes on cooling and experiences several washings to remove residual acids and byproducts. This operation, performed from teaching labs to giant tank reactors, can seem almost quaint by modern standards, but it works reliably across scales. The ability to churn out kilogram barrels without exotic reagents keeps costs low. After filtration, the white crystals pass through dryers and packagers before testing confirms each run’s purity. Safety during production comes down to keeping strong acids off skin, limiting exposure to acetic anhydride’s noxious fumes, and handling dust, which triggers sneezing and irritation.
Aspirin’s active core comes packed with a reactive ester group, so both manufacturing and storage environments race against hydrolysis. This property, while critical to its in-body breakdown, means shelf life gets capped. Scientists over the past century tinkered with modifications—trying to tweak the molecule so fewer stomachs rebelled, developing buffered and enteric-coated forms that deliver aspirin past the acidic stomach to the intestine. Biotransformation in the body splits the acetyl group, freeing salicylic acid that delivers the anti-inflammatory punch, but the same switch in the presence of water outside the body marks a batch as lost. Chemists have used these features to create derivatives for targeted uses, layering new substituents to lengthen effect or boost solubility, but the original formula still dominates.
Pharmaceuticals around the globe know acetylsalicylic acid by many names. Aspirin itself is a trademark, but over-the-counter bottles and prescription pads list it as ASA, acetylsalicylsäure, or simple “salicylic ester of acetic acid.” Generics abound; countless companies stamp their own brand—Bufferin, Ecotrin, Anacin—on aspirin-based formulas. Each runs off the core molecule, trusting the world’s most studied painkiller structure. Across different languages and regulatory zones, explicit use of the IUPAC and trivial names banishes any doubt about what’s in the bottle.
Taking aspirin for a headache or as a blood thinner seems routine, but risks exist. Even recommendations to take that low-dose aspirin for heart disease hinge on a careful balance of benefit and harm. High doses erode the stomach’s protective lining, raising ulcer and bleeding risk—one reason modern labeling walks consumers through safe use, especially for anyone with past gastrointestinal trouble or advanced age. Blood disorders, asthma, certain viral infections in kids—each can make this simple medication dangerous. Regulatory bodies like the FDA and EMA require manufacturers to meet strict cGMP standards. Batch records trace every tablet, and adverse reactions demand fast reporting. In the trenches, doctors, pharmacists, and patients all shoulder part of the safety load, making sure that that little chalky pill delivers relief, not a trip to the ER.
For many years aspirin signified “pain killer,” and still does, but its reach extends much further. Millions rely on it daily to reduce heart attack or stroke risk—its antiplatelet effect has changed how doctors prevent clotting in high-risk patients. Surgeons and internists rely on its irreversible platelet inhibition as a tool and a double-edged sword, sometimes urgently stopping it before procedures to avoid bleeding. Researchers look at aspirin’s reported effects in colorectal cancer prevention and its place in rheumatoid disease, but no other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory offers the same balance of cost, decades of outcome data, and broad effect. Sports medicine uses it for acute injuries; infectious disease experts recommend it for fever; even veterinarians reach for it for certain animals. Still, the broad scope means education matters, as misuse or overuse ends up causing more trouble than help.
Clinical research on aspirin never seems to end. Early hopes centered on pain and fever, but the focus gradually shifted toward cardiovascular disease prevention after studies in the 1970s showed reduced risk of heart attacks. Since then, value in both secondary and primary prevention has come under continuous review, as new studies refine who benefits, who gets harmed, and what other drugs interact poorly. Surgeons and emergency doctors wrestle with aspirin’s long-lasting effects on blood, while cancer researchers scan for small but meaningful drops in colorectal and possibly other cancer risks. Drug designers keep returning to aspirin’s structure, seeking chemical cousins that hit targets with fewer side effects. Every time new drugs emerge—statins, novel anticoagulants, immunomodulators—scientists check if aspirin can work alongside them, or instead of them, in resource-limited settings. Patents rarely cover aspirin anymore, so research runs transparently, without the glare of megapharma marketing.
Anything with a powerful effect also holds risk, and aspirin shows this in stark relief. Acute overdose—intentionally or by accident—can set off a cascade of metabolic chaos, pushing acid-base balance out of range, triggering rapid breathing, confusion, and, at extremes, organ failure. In children, aspirin after viral infections like influenza or chickenpox increases risk of Reye syndrome, a rare but often deadly brain and liver disease—that’s why warnings appear so prominently. Doctors track blood salicylate levels when toxicity looms. Chronic overuse causes “salicylism”—ringing ears, nausea, even hallucinations. Decades of poison center data and case studies shaped hospital protocols, emphasizing early recognition and aggressive supportive care. Toxicology keeps researchers humble—nature always finds a crack or loophole.
Despite its age, aspirin’s future still holds surprises. Researchers want to clarify its benefits in cancer protection—a quest requiring giant studies run over years. The COVID-19 pandemic renewed focus on clotting disorders, pushing experts to discuss low-cost, widely available drugs like aspirin. As medical science learns new tricks about inflammation and tissue regeneration, aspirin could find unexpected uses or inspire the next generation of pain-blocking and clot-preventing drugs. Pharmacies stock new drugs every year, but few have aspirin’s blend of affordability, familiarity, and broad relevance. Future forms could boast timed release, protective coatings, or fixed-dose combinations, especially in areas where budgets stay lean but health needs run high.
A small white tablet sits in just about every medicine cabinet I’ve ever rummaged through. Aspirin seems like a given, quietly waiting its turn on days when a headache barges in or when a stubborn fever refuses to back down. Many folks, myself included, reached for Aspirin after sleepless flu-filled nights or after waking up with muscles aching from doing a bit too much. This pill, basic as it looks, delivers more than pain relief or reducing fevers. Its story cuts through generations, and its impact reaches far beyond a temporary fix.
People have trusted Aspirin for over a century as a go-to painkiller. Whether it’s that throb behind the eyes, sore joints, or back troubles from wrestling an old mattress down the stairs, Aspirin has helped countless people get back on their feet. It tempers mild-to-moderate aches, helping parents chase kids around the yard or workers power through a tough day. Fever also loses its grip thanks to the same tablet, which has cooled down both restless children and weary adults staring at a rising thermometer.
Doctors and nurses started seeing Aspirin as more than a pain reliever. Its ability to thin blood led to new roles—protecting hearts. Decades ago, scientists found that taking a low dose of Aspirin each day could help folks at higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. By stopping platelets from clumping together inside blood vessels, Aspirin keeps clots from blocking the flow. I remember watching a relative pop a tiny pill every morning after a brush with a heart scare. Stories like this get repeated daily in clinics, where nurses explain the why and how to patients who hope to avoid disaster.
Anyone who’s watched a loved one deal with stroke knows how stubborn clots can be. Aspirin helps stop dangerous blockages inside vessels feeding the brain. That means fewer strokes, lighter outcomes, and more people able to keep up with their families. For those already walking a fine line with blood vessel troubles, the right advice from a doctor can turn this kitchen-counter medicine into a shield.
Aspirin isn’t a cure-all. Some take it for years and see clear benefits, while others might run into stomach pain, ulcers, or bleeding. Truth be told, I’ve seen friends end up at urgent care after thinking that more pills bring more relief. Doctors keep warning about using Aspirin without proper guidance. Taking it without considering these risks can bring bigger problems. Medical advice shapes who really benefits, separating the right cases from the risky ones.
With everything Aspirin offers, the importance of good information never goes stale. Talking with a health professional, reading reliable research, and listening to one’s own body matter more than snappy headlines or neighborly advice. Groups like the American Heart Association and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force publish clear guidance on who gains from this medicine and who should step back. This approach keeps safe usage front and center, so Aspirin stays a trusted ally instead of a hidden threat.
Aspirin has followed us from the days of willow bark through generations of science and family stories. It earned trust by showing real results, yet it demands respect for its powerful effects. As fresh research shines a light on new uses—or warns us of new risks—those tiny tablets keep proving that simplicity sometimes hides real depth. People share a common thread: looking for relief, hoping for health, and counting on something that’s stood the test of time.
Aspirin carries a reputation as a go-to remedy for pain and fever. It piles up by the bathroom sink, ending up in suit pockets and old purses, ready for headaches or heart health. But that easy access doesn’t mean everyone walks away unscathed. It took a few years of working alongside older folks in pharmacy settings before I truly understood how people can overlook risk when chasing comfort. Nobody expects a small tablet to set trouble in motion, but it happens more than many will admit.
Stomach trouble rises near the top of the list. Aspirin irritates the stomach lining, especially with long-term use. Some people wake up at night with burning or reach for antacids to tackle sour stomachs. Data from large-scale studies—like those published in the British Medical Journal—show that regular aspirin use can raise the risk of stomach ulcers and internal bleeding. As soon as someone combines aspirin with alcohol or other painkillers, the chance jumps even higher. Too many times, folks ignore that discomfort, pushing through until blood shows up in vomit or stool.
It’s tempting to think only older adults need to think twice, but that doesn’t match what I’ve seen or what medical guidelines lay out. Anyone, even young people, may face an allergic response after taking aspirin. Shortness of breath and hives suggest a real emergency, not just minor irritation. No one wants to consider their painkiller could become a trigger for swelling in the throat or face, though it happens more than people realize. If reactions hit quick, emergency care beats wishful thinking every time.
For folks with heart trouble, aspirin finds a place in every doctor’s toolkit. It thins the blood, serving to prevent clots and future heart attacks. Still, the same mechanism that saves lives creates real risks. Uncontrolled bleeding—a cut that won’t clot or blood in the urine—shows up more in aspirin users. According to the American Heart Association, even small, daily doses can set the stage for brain bleeds, especially in older adults. The risk becomes sharper for people taking blood thinners or drinking heavily.
No one tool fixes every problem. Doctors and pharmacists now talk through alternatives, considering stomach-safe supplements, other pain relief options, and careful tracking of aspirin’s use. Patients who choose aspirin for heart protection, especially without seeing a doctor first, need solid education. Pharmacists play a big role here. Simple advice—always take aspirin with food, cut back on alcohol, and check for signs of bleeding—makes a real difference.
Better record keeping can help spot patterns: joint swelling, unexplained bruising, or digestive issues all deserve attention instead of waiting for a crisis. Open conversation, curiosity, and attention to personal history bring aspirin use into focus, keeping comfort in reach while steering clear of trouble.
People reach for aspirin to help with pain, fever, or to keep the blood flowing for heart issues. It sits in almost every home’s medicine cabinet. Doctors often suggest a daily low-dose for those aiming to lower their chance of heart attack or stroke. Still, many folks who use aspirin also take other medicines for things like high blood pressure, arthritis, or cholesterol. That’s where the trouble sometimes begins.
I’ve seen pharmacists sort out all sorts of medication puzzles for family members. Most of the time, aspirin fits in just fine. Things get risky when it slips in with the wrong crowd. Blood thinners jump out as the biggest warning sign. Aspirin can sharpen the effects of drugs like warfarin, rivaroxaban, or clopidogrel. People taking both run a real risk of bleeding—from simple bruises to far more serious internal bleeding.
Some folks mix ibuprofen or naproxen with their daily aspirin dose, trying to tame pain or swelling. There’s just one problem: that combination can get the stomach churning. Stomach ulcers or bleeding can show up, especially in older adults. Side effects from these painkillers aren’t just a minor bump; thousands end up in the hospital every year because of it, based on data from the FDA.
Over-the-counter cold remedies and allergy pills can sneak acetaminophen or other painkillers into a busy routine. Folks often double up accidentally, thinking more will help their head cold. This habit does quiet pain, but it pushes the liver and kidneys to their limits over time. Mixing aspirin and other painkillers also piles on risk for both bleeding and organ damage.
Aspirin interacts with some diabetes drugs, raising or lowering blood sugar without warning. Blood pressure medicines don’t always play nice with aspirin either, sometimes making them less effective. Cholesterol pills have their own issues—they won’t always block a reaction, but the whole point of aspirin for the heart is lost if cholesterol goes unchecked.
With so many pills in circulation, nobody should ever feel silly asking the pharmacist to check. When my grandmother picked up her prescriptions, the staff always did a double-take with her new pills. Just one question saved her an emergency room trip. Two drugs fighting the same battle can be worse than one doing all the work.
The FDA and Mayo Clinic remind patients to bring a list of all their pills, herbal supplements included, any time they visit a doctor. I’ve helped older family members write out their full list so they didn’t forget. Keeping doctors in the loop with every change, even vitamins and herbal teas, makes for safer care. Pharmacists and nurses step in with clear answers—especially about blood thinners, painkillers, and heart medicine.
If someone feels off after adding aspirin, such as getting nosebleeds or stomach pain, calling the doctor beats guessing. Taking one less pill won’t always fix things; careful checking leads to real safety.
Bring every pill bottle or written list to check-ups. Use a single pharmacy. Always ask before mixing anything new with aspirin. Doctors and pharmacists work best with the full picture, not just a guess. Medicine works safest with open conversation, not silent hope.
Aspirin, tucked away in medicine cabinets across the world, gets much of its fame for easing pain and thinning the blood. Many people reach for it without a second thought, sometimes on a doctor’s advice, sometimes because someone at home suggested it. For some, though, a single aspirin tablet brings more risk than relief.
My dad had a nasty run with stomach ulcers. He thought aspirin would help with his headaches, but those tiny pills set off stomach pains that pushed him to the emergency room. This isn't unusual. Aspirin can irritate the stomach lining and raise bleeding risks for anyone dealing with ulcers or a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Around the dinner table, we started reminding each other: if you’ve had ulcers, check with your doctor before swallowing that pill.
I sat with a friend at a community blood drive who told me she could never take aspirin. She has a bleeding disorder, and her bruising from simple tasks looked alarming. Aspirin hampers the blood’s ability to clot, so people with conditions like hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or even low platelet counts face far more danger than most from what seems like harmless pain relief.
Every parent has heard of chickenpox or the flu making rounds at schools. Giving aspirin to kids or teenagers during a viral illness can trigger Reye’s syndrome—a rare, sometimes deadly condition that attacks the liver and brain. The rule in my house: if a kid has a fever or is recovering from a virus, aspirin stays far out of reach. The American Academy of Pediatrics echoes this, urging safer alternatives like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, which don’t carry the same risk.
During a neighborhood cookout, I watched an acquaintance use his inhaler after eating something spicy. Later, he mentioned that even aspirin can send his lungs into spasm. For some people with asthma, aspirin causes wheezing and tightness in the chest, sometimes severe enough to require hospital care. That asthmatic reaction isn’t rare; up to 1 in 10 adults with asthma face problems with aspirin, especially those who also have nasal polyps.
Allergic reactions to aspirin—ranging from a skin rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis—often pop up in the fine print, but they deserve more attention. Anyone who’s broken out in hives, swelling, or trouble breathing after taking aspirin should stay far away and wear a medical alert tag.
A family member with chronic kidney disease keeps a running list of drugs to avoid, and aspirin is at the top. The pill’s effect on the organs that filter and process it can make already fragile systems work even harder. Doctors suggest skipping aspirin if your kidneys or liver need special care, since safer alternatives often exist.
Pharmacies sell countless bottles every year, but aspirin isn’t as mild as it seems. Doctors and pharmacists agree: talk before taking. If you have a medical condition that sketches a question mark in your mind, trust your gut and ask for advice. It’s far easier to prevent problems by checking than to fix them in the emergency room.
Aspirin sits in nearly every medicine cabinet. This familiar tablet means different things for different people—relief for a pounding headache, comfort during joint pain, or a hope to keep heart issues at bay. I remember my own father reaching for low-dose aspirin every morning, under strict guidance from his doctor, after a mild heart scare. That habit became woven into his daily routine, but the real importance lay in understanding how much, and how often, made sense for him.
Aspirin usually comes in two main strengths: the low-dose form, often called “baby aspirin,” delivers 81 milligrams. The standard adult version packs 325 milligrams. Doctors recommend the low dose for people who face higher risks of heart attack or stroke. Heart specialists and family doctors stick to the 81-milligram advice for long-term protection because research shows it helps thin the blood without raising bleeding risks too high.
If pain relief, such as managing aches or fevers, is the goal, the recommended dose for adults goes up. People often take 325 to 650 milligrams every four to six hours, keeping the total below 4,000 milligrams per day. Folks ask whether it’s fine to take more if one pill doesn’t cut it. The answer usually calls for a talk with a doctor, since doubling does not double the benefits, and it may bring stomach pain or bleeding problems instead.
It sounds simple to pop a tablet, but aspirin does not suit everyone. Taking too much or using it for too long brings risks. Internal bleeding, especially in the stomach, is a real concern. Some people may also develop ulcers or kidney problems. One retired nurse I’ve known remembered clients showing up to her ER with black stools—a sign of bleeding inside—because they thought more aspirin meant more relief. That lesson stuck with her, and with me, as a reminder that even common meds carry weighty risks.
Large-scale studies published by the American Heart Association and journals such as The Lancet lay out the facts. People at high risk of heart attack or stroke benefit from small daily doses, not bigger ones. The FDA and other health agencies urge most adults who use aspirin for their heart to stick with 81 milligrams—unless their health team says otherwise. Guidelines for regular pain control look different; the need, age, health, and other medications all matter when weighing the right amount.
In my family, talking openly about even simple over-the-counter medicine changed how we approached each bottle in the medicine cabinet. Knowing why doses differ—and why the lowest working amount is best—gives control and cuts chances of harm. Learning more, asking questions, and sticking to recommended doses make every bottle of aspirin a helpful tool instead of a risky guess.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-acetyloxybenzoic acid |
| Other names |
Acetylsalicylic acid
ASA Bayer Ecotrin Bufferin St. Joseph Aspirin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæs.pər.ɪn/ |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2-(acetyloxy)benzoic acid |
| Other names |
Acetylsalicylic Acid
ASA Easprin Ecotrin Bufferin Ascriptin Empirin St. Joseph Aspirin |
| Pronunciation | /ˈæs.pər.ɪn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 50-78-2 |
| Beilstein Reference | 136-07-6 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:15365 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL25 |
| ChemSpider | 212 |
| DrugBank | DB00945 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.132 |
| EC Number | 3.1.1.55 |
| Gmelin Reference | 3774 |
| KEGG | C00907 |
| MeSH | D001241 |
| PubChem CID | 2244 |
| RTECS number | AG5075000 |
| UNII | 23VNB1O53C |
| UN number | UN1851 |
| CAS Number | 50-78-2 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `3D structure; JSmol; CCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)O` |
| Beilstein Reference | 1365141 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:15365 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL25 |
| ChemSpider | 967 |
| DrugBank | DB00945 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.004.693 |
| EC Number | 3.1.1.55 |
| Gmelin Reference | 546 |
| KEGG | D00109 |
| MeSH | D001241 |
| PubChem CID | 2244 |
| RTECS number | AG4375000 |
| UNII | R7T0EZC9YN |
| UN number | UN1851 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C9H8O4 |
| Molar mass | 180.16 g/mol |
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder or colorless crystals |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | D = 1.4 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| log P | 1.19 |
| Vapor pressure | 5.21E-7 mmHg at 25°C |
| Acidity (pKa) | 3.5 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 12.48 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -59.0e-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.636 |
| Dipole moment | 1.51 D |
| Chemical formula | C9H8O4 |
| Molar mass | 180.16 g/mol |
| Appearance | White, crystalline powder or colorless crystals |
| Odor | odorless |
| Density | 1.40 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Slightly soluble |
| log P | 1.19 |
| Vapor pressure | 1.7 x 10^-6 mmHg (at 25 °C) |
| Acidity (pKa) | 3.5 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 12.32 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -70.0·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.544 |
| Dipole moment | 4.56 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 296.2 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | −711.0 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3158 kJ/mol |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 201.0 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | −765.0 kJ mol⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -3159 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | B01AC06 |
| ATC code | B01AC06 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory and skin irritation; may cause allergic skin reaction; harmful if swallowed; may cause eye irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07; Warning; H302, H315, H319 |
| Pictograms | 💊⚠️🚫🤰🍷🔞 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302, H315, H319, H335 |
| Precautionary statements | Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-2-0-W |
| Flash point | 138°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 515°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 200 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose) of Aspirin: 200 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | DT6300000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | 400 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 300-650 mg every 4–6 hours as needed; maximum: 4 g/day |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | No IDLH established |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory and skin sensitization; harmful if swallowed; causes serious eye irritation; may cause allergic skin reaction. |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | R50,R51,R52,R60 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302: Harmful if swallowed. |
| Precautionary statements | P102 Keep out of reach of children. P103 Read label before use. P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help. |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-1-0 |
| Flash point | 140°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 515°C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 (oral, rat): 200 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | 200 mg/kg (oral, rat) |
| NIOSH | MN2625000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | 325 mg |
| REL (Recommended) | 75–150 mg once daily |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | IDLH: Not listed |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Salicylic acid
Acetaminophen Ibuprofen Diclofenac Methyl salicylate Phenacetin Diflunisal Salsalate |
| Related compounds |
Salicylic acid
Acetylsalicylic acid Sodium salicylate Methyl salicylate Choline salicylate Diflunisal |