In which condition should aspirin use be considered with caution?

In which condition should aspirin use be considered with caution?

• A. Asthma
• B. Hypertension
• C. Diabetes
• D. Hypothyroidism

Answer: (A)

Aspirin should be used with caution in asthma because some people with asthma have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. When aspirin (and other NSAIDs) inhibit COX enzymes, arachidonic acid is shunted toward the leukotriene pathway, and leukotrienes are potent bronchoconstrictors. This can trigger wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, especially in individuals with asthma and nasal polyps. Hypertension, diabetes, and hypothyroidism don’t carry this specific risk of bronchospasm from aspirin, so they don’t inherently require caution for this reason. If analgesia is needed in someone with asthma, consider acetaminophen or discuss NSAID desensitization only if aspirin is truly necessary for another condition.

Aspirin should be used with caution in asthma because some people with asthma have aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. When aspirin (and other NSAIDs) inhibit COX enzymes, arachidonic acid is shunted toward the leukotriene pathway, and leukotrienes are potent bronchoconstrictors. This can trigger wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, especially in individuals with asthma and nasal polyps. Hypertension, diabetes, and hypothyroidism don’t carry this specific risk of bronchospasm from aspirin, so they don’t inherently require caution for this reason. If analgesia is needed in someone with asthma, consider acetaminophen or discuss NSAID desensitization only if aspirin is truly necessary for another condition.