Many people with asthma have sensitivities to certain drugs that can precipitate an asthma attack . If you have asthma, you need to be aware of which medications may be triggers. You do not need to avoid these medications unless you know they are asthma triggers for you. If these medications have never triggered your asthma, it is still best to take the medications with caution because a reaction can occur at any time.
Below is a list of the most common medications known to trigger symptoms of asthma. However, if you are prescribed any medication that you think may be causing your asthma to worsen, discuss it with your doctor.
Aspirin and other painkillers. Approximately 10% to 20% of adults with asthma have sensitivity to aspirin or a group of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — or NSAIDS — such as ibuprofen ( Motrin ,Advil) and naproxen ( Aleve , Naprosyn ). These drugs are frequently used to treat pain and reduce fevers.
Asthma attacks caused by any of these medications can be severe and even fatal, so these drugs must be completely avoided in people who have knownaspirin sensitive asthma. Products with acetaminophen such as Tylenol are considered a safer alternative for people known to have aspirin-sensitive asthma; however, some studies have linked asthma to use of acetaminophen in some people. It is important that people with aspirin sensitivity read labels of all over-the-counter drugs used to treat pain, coldsand flu, and fever. Also inform your doctor so that these medications are not prescribed for you. If you have any questions whether a certain medication could trigger your asthma, seek advice from your health careprovider.
Aspirin Sensitivity, Asthma, and Nasal Polyps. Some people with asthma cannot take aspirin or NSAIDs because of what’s known as Samter’s triad — a combination of asthma, aspirin sensitivity, and nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are small growths that form inside the nasal cavity.