Health

Many asthmatics sensitive to aspirin and don't know it

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 8, 2004

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About a fifth of asthmatics will have an attack if they take aspirin. Most of them are also sensitive to ibuprofen and naproxen, although very few are aware of this, according to a study published in the Feb 21 British Medical Journal.

Researchers in Australia reviewed studies looking at the prevalence of asthma induced by aspirin and other nonprescription pain relievers. They found that 21% of adult and 5% of child asthmatics would test positive for aspirin sensitivity with an oral provocation test. A similar number also test positive for reactions to nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs. Only 3% of adults and 2% of children, however, knew they had this asthma trigger.

The authors concluded that aspirin sensitivity may be more common than previously believed and recommended that asthmatics be aware of this possibility. They also wrote that warning labels on these over-the-counter medications should include information about asthma risks.

Acetaminophen was rarely associated with asthma exacerbations with only 7% experiencing an attack after taking this pain reliever.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/03/08/hlbf0308.htm.

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