Abstract

Aspirin is often used to treat complaints expected to be transient, such as toothache, headache and influenza. A rapid analgesic and sometimes anti-pyretic effect is required, and duration of treatment is likely to be short. Aspirin is often considered the first-choice drug for rheumatic disorders, particularly rheumatoid arthritis;¹ here the circumstances are quite different because long-term treatment is required at the relatively high dosage necessary to obtain an anti-inflammatory effect.²