![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aspree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/halgatewood-com-iPl3q-gEGzY-unsplash.ed_.jpg\")
<\/h2>\n\u00a0<\/h2>\n\u00a0<\/h2>\nWhy is aspirin so special?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/h2>\nWhy is aspirin so special?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Aspirin is one of the most widely used and affordable medications in the world. It has been used in medical practice since the late 1890\u2019s. Such is the importance of aspirin that it continues to be the subject of hundreds of published research studies each year.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\nHow does aspirin work?<\/h3>\n
Aspirin has two main actions in the body:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Stops blood platelets from clumping together to form a blood clot (‘blood thinner effect’) which can prolong the time it takes for bleeding to stop<\/li>\n
- Reduces (at higher doses) the production in the body of chemicals called ‘prostaglandins\u2019, thereby reducing inflammation, pain and fever<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Uses of aspirin<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Low-dose aspirin (100 mg) is used after a first heart attack, angina or stroke to prevent a second or third similar event. This is known as \u2018secondary prevention\u2019.<\/li>\n
- Higher doses of aspirin (300 \u2013 500 mg) provides temporary relief of pain, inflammation and fever.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Side effects of aspirin<\/h3>\n
All medications have the potential to cause adverse effects, and aspirin is no exception. Aspirin belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) which may interact with several other medications.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Aspirin\u2019s side effects are more commonly seen in older adults and in those receiving higher doses.<\/li>\n
- Aspirin delays the ability of the blood to clot and block the leakage of blood from ruptured blood vessels.<\/li>\n
- Aspirin reduces the effectiveness of the protective barrier in the stomach which may lead to bleeding from the stomach wall. This video<\/a> explains how aspirin may cause bleeding in the stomach.<\/li>\n
- More information about possible side-effects of low-dose aspirin and drug interactions<\/a> is here<\/a> and here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
It is important to talk to your doctor before starting daily low-dose aspirin even though you can buy it without a prescription.<\/em><\/p>\n
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\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
History of Aspirin<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aspree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/BayerHeroin1911web-1024x743-1.png\")
\u00a0Above: Until the early 1900’s aspirin was once marketed alongside Heroin and Cocaine<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Aspirin in the Ancient World<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Aspirin was first produced in Germany 110 years ago, but its natural form, salicylic acid, found in plants (i.e. the willow tree and myrtle) has been used for thousands of years.<\/li>\n
- As early as 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians used willow bark and myrtle to reduce pain and fever<\/li>\n
- By 30 AD, Greek and Roman physicians recommended the use of willow leaf to treat inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
A Victorian Era Discovery<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Salicylic acid was associated with a bitter taste and often induced upset stomachs and vomiting.<\/li>\n
- In 1897, Felix Hoffmann (a chemist working for Bayer Company in Germany) synthesised acetyl salicylic acid which largely reduced the stomach irritation caused by salicylate alone.<\/li>\n
- Two years later, on March 6, 1899, aspirin was trademarked under the Imperial Office of Berlin.<\/li>\n
- When war broke out in 1914, the Allies lost their source of aspirin and so they offered large prizes for anyone who could make aspirin. The Nicholas brothers from Melbourne were among the first to synthesise commercial quantities, which they called Aspro.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
An Aspirin a day<\/h3>\n
- \n
- The ability of aspirin to prevent heart attacks and stroke was first proposed in the 1940s when doctors observed that children who were given aspirin-laced chewing gum to relieve pain after a tonsillectomy bled more than those who did not have the gum. It was reasoned that if aspirin caused bleeding it could prevent clotting, the cause of heart attacks.<\/li>\n
- Because these initial studies were published in obscure journals, the recommendation to take an aspirin a day to prevent recurrent heart attacks was not adopted. It wasn\u2019t until the 1970s when adequately controlled trials established that this was true, that doctors routinely started recommending aspirin for secondary prevention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Aspirin Today<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Aspirin is now available in over 80 countries.<\/li>\n
- It is regarded as the most successful non-prescription medicine of all time.<\/li>\n
- Aspirin was one of the very first drugs to be made available in tablet-form.<\/li>\n
- It is now a standard worldwide remedy for pain, inflammation and fever.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Watch a video on the chemical structure of aspirin here.<\/a><\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Fun facts about Aspirin<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aspree.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/07\/iStock-173942298-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- The melting point of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is 135 \u00b0C.<\/li>\n
- In 1950, aspirin was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the highest-selling drug product.<\/li>\n
- Approximately 25,000 scientific articles about aspirin and a projected one trillion aspirin pills have been consumed since it arrived on the market<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Approximately 40,000 tonne of aspirin is produced annually worldwide<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Adding aspirin to water in a vase will make cut flowers last longer. The effect is attributable to salicylic acid, which as a messenger substance plays an important role in plants\u2019 survival.<\/li>\n
- Before 1904, Bayer sold aspirin to pharmacies as a fine, white powder in bottles.<\/li>\n
- After becoming world famous for developing aspirin, Felix Hoffmann disappeared completely from the public eye. On retiring in 1928, he emigrated to Switzerland where he lived in seclusion until his death in 1946.<\/li>\n
- In 2002, Felix Hoffmann was inducted into the US National Inventors Hall of Fame.<\/a><\/li>\n
- After aspirin was developed in 1897, it was around 70 years before British scientist Professor Sir John R. Vane made the Nobel Prize winning discovery that it worked by inhibiting prostaglandins (pain messenger chemicals).<\/li>\n
- Aspirin went into space, as part of the on-board medicine kit on all of the Apollo rockets that NASA sent to the moon \u2013 both the orbital lunar flights in 1968\/69 and the seven moon landings from 1969 to 1972 (Apollo 11 to Apollo 17).<\/li>\n
- Salicylic acid is found in certain vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and herbs in various amounts. Acetyl salicylic acid in aspirin, is a modified version of salicylic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Sources and further reading:\u00a0History of Aspirin<\/a>, Pharmaceutical Journal,<\/a> Aspirin timeline<\/a>, Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”INFORMATION DOCUMENTS” module_class=”tab-content” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”840px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”information docs” _builder_version=”4.19.3″ header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_font_size=”32px” background_layout=”dark” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Information documents<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”brochures & protocols” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_text_color=”#c9a700″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
ASPREE Brochures<\/h3>\n
- \n
- ASPREE Information Brochure<\/a><\/li>\n
- ASPREE-XT Information Brochure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Study Protocols<\/h3>\n
A study protocol is the<\/em> reference document for a research project.\u00a0 The protocol documents the background to the study, the trial design, objectives, hypothesis, endpoints, patient well-being, study visit measurements, analysis and adherence to ethical regulations.\u00a0Study protocols must be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) before a study can legally commence in Australia.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- ASPREE Protocol AUS Version<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- ASPREE-XT Protocol AUS Version\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”PARTICIPANT NEWSLETTERS” module_class=”tab-content” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”840px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”list of newsletters” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” link_text_color=”#c9a700″ header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_font_size=”32px” background_layout=”dark” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Newsletters<\/h2>\n
This biannual publication helps keep you up to date on the ASPREE project \u2013 from study progress, achievements and findings, through to news stories, reminders and snippets. Submissions to future newsletters (limited to 100 words is\u00a0ideal) and\/or story suggestions are welcome! \u00a0Send through your suggestions to aspree@monash.edu<\/a><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/h4>\n
View past editions of the ASPREE participant newsletter:<\/h4>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- Participant newsletter_autumn 2024<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant newsletter_spring 2023<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant newsletter_summer_2022-2023<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter&spring_2022<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_summer_2021-2022<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter_2021<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_summer_2020-2021<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter_2020<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_summer_2019-2020<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_summer&autumn_2018-2019<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant-newsletter_summer_2017-2018<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter&spring_2017<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter&spring_2016<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_summer_2015-2016<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_autumn&winter_2015<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_spring&summer_2014<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0a letter of thanks from Prof John McNeil<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_spring&summer_2013-2014<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_autumn&winter 2013<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_spring&summer_2012-2013<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_autumn_2012<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_spring&summer_2011-2012<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter_2011<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_spring&summer_2010-2011<\/a><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_winter_2010<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- Participant_newsletter_autumn_2010<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU ARE AFTER?” module_class=”tab-content” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”840px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”contact us details” _builder_version=”4.16″ link_text_color=”#c9a700″ header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_font_size=”32px” background_layout=”dark” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”24px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
We are very happy to answer your questions. Contact the ASPREE team:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- P: 1800 728 745 (toll free from a landline)<\/li>\n
- E: aspree@monash.edu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”100px” height=”100px” max_height=”100px” custom_margin=”-1px||-1px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Page updated: 1 August 2023<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”90px||70px||false|false” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#cecece” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”d100a70a-4a1b-4c0a-852d-deb7ebdb8d36″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
NEWS FOR PARTICIPANTS<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”3″ include_categories=”18″ excerpt_length=”100″ show_author=”off” show_date=”off” show_categories=”off” masonry_tile_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ header_level=”h4″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_font_size=”22px” custom_margin=”||40px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”20px” header_font_size_phone=”18px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_width_all=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_blog][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Information about the ASPREE Clinical Trial, the follow-up ASPREE-XT (eXTension) study, aspirin, privacy, how to update your details and other FAQs for study participants.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/461"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=461"}],"version-history":[{"count":284,"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10202,"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/461\/revisions\/10202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aspree.org\/aus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Participant newsletter_spring 2023<\/a><\/li>\n
- ASPREE-XT Protocol AUS Version\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- ASPREE-XT Information Brochure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Approximately 40,000 tonne of aspirin is produced annually worldwide<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- More information about possible side-effects of low-dose aspirin and drug interactions<\/a> is here<\/a> and here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n