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Can I safely take aspirin if I have asthma?

Most people with asthma can safely take aspirin. But for 5-20 percent of people with asthma, aspirin and similar drugs can cause difficulty in breathing and swelling around the eyes. These people should not take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nobody knows for certain why some people with asthma have this sensitivity to aspirin and other NSAIDs. Those who are sensitive tend to have nasal polyps and chronic sinus problems in addition to their asthma. This sensitivity is much more common in adults than in children.

If you’re an asthma sufferer and haven’t already experienced a reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs, you may not need to worry about the problem. But if you’re unsure whether you’re sensitive to aspirin or other NSAIDs, it’s probably best to avoid these products or to check with your doctor before taking them.

Aspirin and other NSAIDs are found in many over-the-counter and prescription products. Some examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (brand names Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and celecoxib (Celebrex). Various over-the-counter cough/cold, allergy, and pain medicines contain aspirin or other NSAIDs. Read the product labeling carefully and, if you’re not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a medicine contains aspirin or another NSAID.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually a safe choice for treating minor pain in people who might be sensitive to aspirin. If necessary, your doctor can also prescribe other pain medicines such as tramadol (>Ultram).

Sources:
Stevenson, D. "Salsalate Cross-Sensitivity in Aspirin-Sensitve Patients with Asthma," Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 86 (1990).
Cecil Textbook of Medicine. W. B. Saunders Company, 2000.
Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1998.
Practical Guide for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. National Institutes of Health, 1997.
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. American Pharmaceutical Association, 2000.

This answer prepared 1/12/2001.
This information updated 6/22/2007.