Aspirin

In 1897, Bayer chemist Felix Hoffmann synthesized acetylsalicylic acid to create a more tolerable, less stomach-irritating form of salicylic acid.

The story of aspirin began millennia ago, as ancient cultures (including Sumerians and Egyptians) used willow bark—which contains salicin—to treat pain and fevers. aspirin

The most significant side effect is an increased risk of gastrointestinal (stomach) bleeding or hemorrhages. aspirin

Commercialized in 1899, it quickly became a staple in medicine cabinets,, eventually helping millions manage aches and reduce fevers during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. aspirin