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Acetaminophen use: a risk for asthma?
Henning Allmers1, Christoph Skudlik, Swen Malte John
1Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Osnabrueck, Germany. hallmers@uos.de
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|February 13, 2009
Summary
Regular acetaminophen (paracetamol) use, especially during pregnancy, is linked to an increased risk of childhood asthma and allergies. Uncritical use may lead to these conditions, even before birth.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
- Allergology
Background:
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic.
- Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between acetaminophen use and respiratory and allergic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies investigating the relationship between acetaminophen use and the development of allergies and asthma.
- To assess the risk associated with acetaminophen consumption, particularly during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Review of key studies published since 2000 focusing on acetaminophen use and respiratory outcomes.
- Analysis of population-based data, including the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children.
Main Results:
- Regular acetaminophen use shows a dose-dependent risk for developing allergies and asthma.
- Maternal acetaminophen use in late pregnancy was associated with a 7% attributable risk of childhood asthma.
- Aspirin use in pregnancy did not show the same association.
Conclusions:
- The uncritical use of over-the-counter acetaminophen warrants a public health warning.
- Acetaminophen use may contribute to the development of allergies and asthma, potentially originating in utero.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology.
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