Acetylsalicylic acid breaks down into salicylic acid 20 minutes after entering the bloodstream. It is the salicylic acid that is responsible for the beneficial effects of aspirin. Salicylic acid itself it too caustic to be taken orally.
Acetylsalicylic acid has anti-clotting effect in the blood.
Salicylic acid reduces inflammation and fever.
acetylsalicylic acid: InChI=1/C9H8O4/c1-6(10)13-8-5-3-2-4-7(8)9(11)12/h2-5H,1H3,(H,11,12)/f/h11H
salicylic acid: InChI=1/C7H6O3/c8-6-4-2-1-3-5(6)7(9)10/h1-4,8H,(H,9,10)/f/h9H
acetaminophen: InChI=1/C8H9NO2/c1-6(10)9-7-2-4-8(11)5-3-7/h2-5,11H,1H3,(H,9,10)
ibuprofen: InChI=1/C13H18O2/c1-9(2)8-11-4-6-12(7-5-11)10(3)13(14)15/h4-7,9-10H,8H2,1-3H3,(H,14,15)
ibuprofen: InChI=1/C13H18O2/c1-9(2)8-11-4-6-12(7-5-11)10(3)13(14)15/h4-7,9-10H,8H2,1-3H3,(H,14,15)/t10-/m1/s1/f/h14H
ibuprofen: InChI=1/C13H18O2/c1-9(2)8-11-4-6-12(7-5-11)10(3)13(14)15/h4-7,9-10H,8H2,1-3H3,(H,14,15)/t10-/m0/s1/f/h14H
naproxen: InChI=1/C14H14O3/c1-9(14(15)16)10-3-4-12-8-13(17-2)6-5-11(12)7-10/h3-9H,1-2H3,(H,15,16)/f/h15H