[Asthma caused by analgesics]

Asthma, caused by analgesics, a relatively frequent phenomenon in bronchial asthma conditioned by infection, often remains unrecognized and is then sometimes a danger of high degree for these patients. Pathogenetically, the asthma caused by analgesics perhaps does not underlie an immunological mechanism, but an induced by analgesics prostaglandin-E-synthesis inhibition. For this speak the results of skin tests, of the LTT with analgesics and of IgE concentration measurements. Concomitant phenomena of the asthma caused by analgesics are: initial rhinirrhoe, alcohol intolerance, polyposis nasi and NNH affections. Among the evoking noxae the pyrazolones (regard: pyrazolone containing asthma mixed preparations!) are of greatest importance. Since already the smallest doses of analgesics may evoke considerable asthmatic reactions the indication to the exposition test should be made cautiously. In an anamnestic suspicion on asthma caused by analgesics a strict avoidance of analgesics, antirheumatic drugs and antipyretic drugs is necessary. Salicyl amide does not cause in vitro a prostaglandin synthesis inhibition. Still further clinical examinations are necessary, whether it amy generally be recommended as a possible alternative of analgesics in asthma caused by analgesics.