[Analgetic drug intolerance]

Reactions as intolerance to aspirin and food additives were diagnosed in 41 cases during November 1979 -- March 1982. Allergy to pyrazolone-drugs were observed in 20 cases during the same period. 24% of the patients with intolerance to aspirin had also an intolerance to tartrazine. There were no familial occurrence of aspirin intolerance. Four patients had mainly asthma, 37 patients urticaria. New aspects of the pathogenesis of aspirin intolerance -- modulation of arachidonate metabolism and complement activation -- are discussed.