The acetaminophen and asthma hypothesis 10 years on: A case to answer

Abstract

As summarized in Table I,2-15,19,22,25-31,34-39 there is evidence to suggest that acetaminophen use might be an important risk factor for the development of asthma and might have contributed to the increasing prevalence of asthma and allergic disorders over recent decades. Although further epidemiologic and laboratory-based studies will undoubtedly be informative, the priority is to undertake randomized controlled trials to explore the association of acetaminophen with both the development and maintenance of asthma. Indeed, it is a concern that no randomized controlled trials have been undertaken of the long-term use of acetaminophen and the development of asthma and its severity. We propose that there is a case to answer and that such randomized controlled trials should now be a high priority for the research community. Only then will it be possible to determine the role of acetaminophen in the pathogenesis of asthma and related disorders and for evidence-based guidelines for the recommended use of acetaminophen to be made. © 2009 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.