About Asthma and Pain Relievers

Asthma affects over two million Australians: one in four children, one in seven teenagers and one in ten adults.

Up to 20% of people with asthma may have an asthma attack after taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used to treat pain, muscle and joint inflammation, colds or flu. This is known as aspirin-induced asthma. The attack may be preceded by a runny nose or hay fever-like symptoms, sneezing and flushing of the face. The attack can be very severe and life threatening.

What pain relievers may affect my asthma?

Aspirin and NSAIDs are safe for the majority of people with asthma. However, if you have aspirin-induced asthma, you must avoid aspirin and NSAIDs.

Some people require low-dose aspirin for heart conditions or NSAIDs for the treatment of arthritis.  If you have aspirin-induced asthma, desensitisation to aspirin is possible.

This must only be done under the supervision of a specialist with experience of the procedure.

If you are unsure if a particular medicine might trigger your asthma, ask your GP or pharmacist before you take it.

What pain relievers are safe for me to take?

Medicines containing paracetamol and ibuprofen (an NSAID) are generally safe for people with asthma, including children. However, if you have aspirin-induced asthma, you must consult your doctor about pain relief.

The newer prescription NSAIDs such as Celebrex appear less likely to cause problems in people with aspirin-induced asthma. Always check with your doctor before using these medicines.

Non-prescription pain relievers and asthma

There are a number of pain relievers, such as aspirin and some NSAIDs, which you can buy from your local pharmacy or supermarket without a prescription. Some of these products can also be used for the treatment of colds and flu. Always ask your doctor and pharmacist and check the ingredients to determine whether these products are likely to trigger your asthma.