How Does Aspirin Work?
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Stop Those Prostaglandins
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Wherever cells are damaged, causing pain, chemicals are made, some of which are called prostaglandins. They help make the nerves fire signals to the brain that cause the sensation of pain. Although there are other chemicals that contribute to pain, aspirin targets prostaglandins. It goes through the bloodstream to stop the body from producing prostaglandins.
Binds to Enzyme
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The active chemical in aspirin is called acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). To block prostaglandin from being made, ASA joins with an enzyme in the body called cylooxygenase-2 (often called COX-2). COX-2 makes prostaglandins. When the aspirin binds to COX-2, the enzyme cannot make prostaglandins. This also tells the damaged area to release fluid that can cause inflammation. Both of these actions help cut down the body's feelings of pain.
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Finding Where to Go
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When the digestive system absorbs aspirin, it is distributed throughout the blood inside of the body. COX-2 is released by cells to make prostaglandins only where there is injury, inflammation or pain. This is one reason why long-term aspirin use can lead to bad side effects like ulcers because the aspirin goes everywhere and not just the areas in pain.
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- Photo Credit Coated aspirin. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
