Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a widely used drug that is an analgesic, which relieves minor aches and pains. In addition, it is used as an antipyretic to reduce fever and as an anti-inflammatory medicine. It is among the oldest of the different kinds of drugs now in use for these health concerns. While at one point in time it was probably the most widely used drug to deal with these concerns and is still a safe drug overall, it is not as widely used now with children due to concerns about [Page 223]connections with other health problems. Also, because of linkages to stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers, it is not used as often in some other populations, especially the elderly.

The active ingredient ...