References to “the end of the road for aspirin” and “aspirin’s time is up” seem to indicate some major calamity had overtaken the 120-year-old, most-used drug in the world. The bark of the willow tree became known as the “fever tree” following reports of its miraculous properties. But the incidence of major bleeding was higher in people taking aspirin, with about one in 250 patients having a significant bleed. Taking aspirin for 10 years reduced death from stomach cancer, while lower mortality from prostate cancer took 15 years. Headlines about the ultimate demise of aspirin are premature.

Source: The Irish Times June 10, 2019 04:52 UTC