Aspirin (ASA) is classified as which of the following?

• A. NSAID and antiplatelet agent
• B. Thrombolytic agent
• C. ACE inhibitor
• D. Calcium channel blocker

Answer: (A)

Aspirin is classified as an NSAID and an antiplatelet agent. It’s acetylsalicylic acid, part of the NSAID family because it inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes. Its antiplatelet effect comes from irreversible inhibition of COX-1 in platelets, which blocks formation of thromboxane A2, a key promoter of platelet aggregation. Because platelets lack a nucleus, they can’t synthesize new COX-1, so the antiplatelet effect lasts for the platelet’s lifespan (about 7–10 days), even though aspirin’s direct presence in plasma is short-lived.

This dual classification explains its use: low-dose aspirin provides sustained antiplatelet protection, while higher doses produce broader anti-inflammatory effects. It’s not a thrombolytic that dissolves clots, not an ACE inhibitor, and not a calcium channel blocker.