The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7287 p208
21 February 2004

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

News summary

Related websites
BMJ (bmj.com)

Call for warnings on packs of aspirin for asthma sufferers

Standard warnings are needed on packs of aspirin to warn people with asthma of the potential for exacerbations of their condition, say researchers (BMJ 2004;328:434).

They analysed 21 studies and found the prevalence of aspirin-induced asthma to be 21 per cent in adults and 5 per cent in children. Most were also sensitive to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, the researchers estimate that less than 2 per cent of patients with asthma are sensitive to both aspirin and paracetamol.

Because of the high incidence of aspirin sensitivity and because many patients with asthma are unaware they are at risk from a sensitivity reaction, the researchers call for standardised warnings on packs of aspirin and other NSAIDs.