New York – If you are an acetaminophen user, take note: a new analysis shows that there is an increased asthma risk in both children and adults who use this common painkiller and fever reducer.
The study’s lead author, Dr J Mark FitzGerald of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute says that the study doesn’t show that acetaminophen causes asthma, but that there is a relationship that should be studied further. FitzGerald says, “We know acetaminophen affects inflammatory cells in the airway,” and this is where the link to asthma comes in. It is possible that use of the medication will actually boost asthma risk.
Asthma has been on the increase in recent years, becoming more common worldwide. It is possible that acetaminophen use is one factor in this increase. The study notes that acetaminophen lowers glutathione levels in the lungs. Glutathione is an important antioxidant in the body.
FitzGerald also says in an interview that a previous study published in 2008 also suggested an increased risk of both wheezing and asthma when patients took acetaminophen.
FitzGerald and his group of researchers did a combined analysis of 19 studies. In the analysis of these studies, they found 2 key results:
- Use of acetaminophen was associated overall with a 1.6 times increase in asthma risk.
- Babies exposed to acetaminophen in the womb had both a 1.3 times great risk of asthma and a 1.5 times great risk of wheezing.
Alarmingly, high-dose acetaminophen appears to result in a more than 3 times great risk of asthma for children.
FitzGerald does not want the general public to throw away all their acetaminophen. He says, “[It] works very well to do what it is supposed to do.” FitzGerald goes on to say that all medications come with a risk benefit. For most patients, appropriate use will ensure that they can use a drug safely.
Source: Reuters
