Aspirin, the original NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), has been on the market for more than 100 years, and ranks third in use for over-the-counter drugs worldwide. Although the word "aspirin" has long been used as a generic term for all sorts of pain relievers, the word itself is protected by patent. Bayer Co. registered its patent and trademark in Germany in 1899 and in the U.S. in 1900. It is still widely used: last year, Bayer reported sales of 460 million Euros for Aspirin® alone.
Like many over-the-counter preparations, aspirin has diversified, with tablet and capsule forms in varying degrees of strength. The inactive ingredients differ by intended use---some aspirins contain food coloring, sweeteners, flavors, shellac and different binding agents. The ingredients in Bayer Aspirin 325 mg tablet are covered in this article.
Acetylsalicylic Acid
The only active ingredient in Aspirin®, acetylsalicylic acid, was originally derived from salicin, found in the bark of willow, birch and poplar trees. Salicin-containing barks have been used for centuries in home remedies for fever and pain; now, acetylsalicylic acid is made in the laboratory.
Acetylsalicylic acid works by inhibiting prostaglandins, the chemical messengers that (among other activities) transmit nerve impulses in the body. Acetylsalicylic acid reduces fever, inflammation and pain, and acts as a blood thinner.
Carnauba Wax
Carnauba wax is harvested from the Copernica cerifera palm tree, which grows in Brazil. The wax covers the leaves of the plant, protecting them from hot, dry weather. Workers cut the leaves, dry them in the sun and then process them mechanically to remove the wax. Carnauba wax is approved by the FDA and is frequently used in pharmaceutical applications such as the coating for tablets.
Corn Starch
Corn starch is a carbohydrate, a purified starch derived from corn kernels by a combination of techniques including steeping, drying, milling, chemical additions and washing in water. In aspirin, cornstarch may be used to coat the tablet, making it easier to swallow; as a binder, helping tablets keep their form; or as a disintegrant.
Other Binders
Hypromellose, powdered cellulose and triacetin are all used as binding agents in aspirin. Hypromellose is a water-soluble derivative of methylcellulose. Cellulose, the complex carbohydrate that makes up the cell walls of plants, is also useful as a disintegrant, helping the pill dissolve easily once it's been swallowed.
Triacetin is a chemical compound used as a plasticizer in cigarette filters and chewing gum, a fixative for fragrance, a solvent for food flavorings and a component of food packaging. It is FDA-approved for use in foods and cosmetics, and is another ingredient in Bayer Aspirin.
