<p>Also known as <em>Aspirin</em>, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a commonly used drug for the treatment of pain and fever due to various causes. Acetylsalicylic acid has both anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. This drug also inhibits platelet aggregation and is used in the prevention of blood clots stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) <sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Official drug label" href="#label-reference">Label</a></sup>. </p><p>Interestingly, the results of various studies have demonstrated that long-term use of acetylsalicylic acid may decrease the risk of various cancers, including colorectal, esophageal, breast, lung, prostate, liver and skin cancer <sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Alfonso L, Ai G, Spitale RC, Bhat GJ: Molecular targets of aspirin and cancer prevention. Br J Cancer. 2014 Jul 8;111(1):61-7. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.271. Epub 2014 May 29. (PubMed ID 24874482)" href="#reference-A177325">15</a></sup>. Aspirin is classified as a <em>non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor</em> <sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Vane JR, Botting RM: The mechanism of action of aspirin. Thromb Res. 2003 Jun 15;110(5-6):255-8. (PubMed ID 14592543)" href="#reference-A32682">11</a>,<a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Ornelas A, Zacharias-Millward N, Menter DG, Davis JS, Lichtenberger L, Hawke D, Hawk E, Vilar E, Bhattacharya P, Millward S: Beyond COX-1: the effects of aspirin on platelet biology and potential mechanisms of chemoprevention. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2017 Jun;36(2):289-303. doi: 10.1007/s10555-017-9675-z. (PubMed ID 28762014)" href="#reference-A177268">14</a></sup> and is available in many doses and forms, including chewable tablets, suppositories, extended release formulations, and others <sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Mayo Clinic website: Salicylate" href="#reference-L5968">19</a></sup>. </p><p>Acetylsalicylic acid is a very common cause of accidental poisoning in young children. It should be kept out of reach from young children, toddlers, and infants <sup class="text-reference-group"><a class="reference-popover-link" data-content="Official drug label" href="#label-reference">Label</a></sup>.</p>