acetylsalicylic acid drug pathway acetylsalicylic acid pharmacodynamics pathway 2015-02-12T14:15:37Z PW:0001615 SMP:00083 The actual targets of acetylsalicylic acid known as aspirin were discovered after the drug was marketed. It was believed that it acts upon the central nervous system, but its true mode of action is to irreversibly inhibit cuclooxygenase enzyme COX-1 and to a lesser extent COX-2, thus suppressing the downstream production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Genetic variations can cause differences in the response of the organism to the drug. aspirin pharmacodynamics pathway pathway vpetri