Aspirin, indomethacin, tartrazine, and possibly several other agents can precipitate asthmatic attacks in predisposed individuals. The mechanism is unknown. In a few cases, allergy is a likely explanation. In most, however, some pharmacologic action—as yet unproven—is probably involved. Sensitive patients should be cautioned to avoid all aspirin-containing preparations as well as indomethacin. If a sensitive person needs a mild analgesic, acetaminophen should be tried, under a physician's prescription.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Anon: Analgesics and asthma. Br Med J3:419, 1973.
2.
SamterM, BeersRF: Intolerance to aspirin. Clinical studies and consideration of its pathogenesis. Ann Intern Med68:975, 1968.
3.
SchlumbergerHD, LöbbeckeEA, KallosP: Acetyl-salicylic acid intolerance. Acta Med Scand196:451, 1974.
4.
Lung disease caused by drugs. Br Med J3:729, 1969.
5.
Drug-induced respiratory disorders. Br Med J2:320, 1973.
6.
GiraldoB, BlumenthalMN, SpinkWW: Aspirin intolerance and asthma. Ann Intern Med71:479, 1969.
7.
YungingerJW, O'ConnellEJ, LoganGB: Aspirin-induced asthma in children. J Pediatrics82:218, 1973.
8.
FalliersCJ: Aspirin and subtypes of asthma: risk factor analysis. J Allerg Clin Immunol52:141, 1973.
9.
MillerFF: Aspirin-induced bronchial asthma in sisters. Ann Allerg29:263, 1971.
10.
LockeyRF, RacknagelDL, VanselowNA: Familial occurrence of asthma, nasal polyps, and aspirin intolerance. Ann Intern Med78:57, 1973.
11.
FalliersCJ: Familial coincidence of asthma, aspirin intolerance, and nasal polyps. Ann Allerg32:65, 1974.
12.
DelaneyJC: Asthma, nasal polyposis, and aspirin sensitivity. Ann Intern Med79:761, 1973.
13.
GardnerE, BlantonWB: The incidence of aspirin hypersensitivity. Am J Med Sci200:390, 1940.
14.
ChafeeFH, SettipaneGA: Aspirin intolerance. I. Frequency in an allergic population. J Allerg Clin Immunol53:193, 1974.
15.
SettipaneGA, ChafeeFH: Aspirin intolerance. II. A prospective study in an atopic and normal population. J Allerg Clin Immunol53:200, 1974.
16.
FeinBT: Aspirin shock associated with asthma and nasal polyps. Ann Allerg29:598, 1971.
17.
McDonaldJR, MathisonDA, StevensonDD: Aspirin intolerance in asthma. Detection by oral challenge. J Allerg Clin Immunol50:198, 1972.
18.
WeinerLM, RosenblattM, HowesHA: The detection of humoral antibodies directed against salicylates in hypersensitive states. J Immunol90:788, 1963.
19.
GirardJP, HildebrandtF, FavreH: Hypersensitivity to aspirin: clinical and immunological studies. Helvetica Medica Acta35:86, 1969/70.
20.
DeWeckAL: Immunological effects of aspirin anhydride, a contaminant of commercial acetyl-salicylic acid preparations. Internat Arch Allerg Appl Immunol41:393, 1971.
21.
BundgaardH: Acetylsalicylsalicylic acid: a potentially immunogenic impurity in acetylsalicylic acid. J Pharm Pharmacol26:18, 1974.
22.
YurchakAM, WicherK, ArbesmanCE: Immunologic studies on aspirin. J Allerg40:281, 1970.
23.
FarrRS: The need to re-evaluate acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). J Allerg45:321, 1970.
24.
SamterM, BeersRF: Concerning the nature of intolerance to aspirin. J Allerg40:281, 1967.
25.
ParkerCW, SniderDE: Prostaglandins and asthma. Ann Intern Med78:963, 1973.
26.
CuthbertMF: Bronchodilator activity of aerosols of prostaglandins E1 and E2 in asthmatic subjects. Proc Roy Soc Med64:15, 1971.
27.
SmithAP, CuthbertMF: Antagonistic action of aerosols of prostaglandins F2α and E2 in bronchial muscle tone in man. Br Med J3:212, 1972.
28.
GreenK, HedquistP, SvanborgN: Increased plasma levels of 15-keto-13, 14-dihydro-prostaglandin F2 after allergen-provoked asthma in man. Lancet2:1419, 1974.
29.
FlowerR, GryglewskiR, Herbacynska-CedroK, VaneJR: Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on prostaglandin biosynthesis. Nature: New Biology238:104, 1972.
30.
VaneJR: Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis as a mechanism of action for aspirin-like drugs. Nature: New Biology231:232, 1971.
SmithAP, DunlapL: Prostaglandin and asthma. Lancet1:39, 1975.
33.
SmithAP: Response of aspirin-allergic patients to challenge by some analgesics in common use. Br Med J2:494, 1971.
34.
VanselowNA, SmithJR: Bronchial asthma induced by indomethacin. Ann Intern Med66:568, 1967.
35.
TimpermanJ: A fatal asthmatic attack following administration of an indomethacin suppository. J Forensic Med18:30, 1971.
36.
FishermanEW, CohenGN: Aspirin and other cross-reacting small chemicals in known aspirin-intolerant patients. Ann Allerg31:476, 1973.
37.
JuhlinL, MichaëlssonG, ZetterströmO: Urticaria and asthma induced by food-and-drug additives in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity. J Allerg Clin Immunol50:92, 1972.
38.
FishmanAE: Suspected aminophylline causes of asthma: three case reports. Ann Allerg33:161, 1974.
