History
The effects of ASA-like substances have been known since the ancient
Romans recorded the use of the willow bark as a fever fighter. The
leaves
and bark of the willow tree contain a substance called salicin, a naturally
occurring compound similar to acetylsalicylic acid (otherwise known
as ASA), the chemical name for ASPIRIN.
The Birth of ASPIRIN
400 BC
Greek physician Hippocrates prescribes the bark and leaves of the
willow tree (rich in a substance called salicin) to relieve pain and
fever.
1832
A German chemist experiments with salicin and creates salicylic acid
(SA).
1897
Chemist Felix Hoffmann, at Bayer in Germany, chemically synthesizes
a stable form of ASA powder that relieves his father's rheumatism. The
compound ASA is the active ingredient in ASPIRIN. The ASPIRIN name is
a combination of "a" from acetyl, "spir" from the
spirea plant (which yields salicin) and "in," a common suffix
for medications.
1899
Bayer distributes ASPIRIN powder to physicians to give to their patients.
ASPIRIN is soon the number one drug worldwide.
1900
Bayer introduces the first ASPIRIN in water-soluble tablets - the
first medication to be sold in this form. This new product cut costs
in half.
1915
ASPIRIN becomes available without a prescription. Manufactured in
tablet form.
The Evolution of ASPIRIN: Effective Pain Relief
1920s
Used to treat symptoms of pain related to rheumatism, lumbago and
neuralgia.
1952
Children's Chewable ASPIRIN is introduced.
1969
ASPIRIN tablets are included in the self-medication kits taken
to the moon by the Apollo astronauts. Aspirin proves very effective
in
combating the headaches and muscle pains that frequently resulted from
long periods of immobility.
Early 1970s
Medical world begins to understand how ASPIRIN works when scientists
discover that it inhibits the production of chemicals, called prostaglandins,
that are involved in inflammation and pain.
The Evolution of ASPIRIN: Preventative Therapy
1981
ASPIRIN receives professional indication from Health Canada for secondary
prevention, through daily use, of myocardial infarction (MI , heart
attack) in patients (men and women 50+) with a prior heart attack. ASPIRIN
is also indicated to reduce risk of stroke after a transient ischemic
attack (TIA) in men.
1987
Women included in the TIA indication by Health Canada. ASPIRIN is
also indicated to reduce risk of death in patients with unstable angina.
1998
Coated ASPIRIN Daily Low Dose (81mg) is launched in Canada for use
as a doctor supervised daily preventative therapy.
2001
ASPIRIN receives official recognition from Health Canada for immediate
treatment of suspected acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Use
of ASPIRIN within the first four hours of a heart attack can reduce
a person’s risk of fatality by up to 25%. Please contact your
doctor for more information.
2002
ASPIRIN receives official recognition from Health Canada for primary
prevention of first, non-fatal heart attack. Please contact your doctor
for more information.
Go to News for more information on
ASPIRIN.
