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- Title
Does paracetamol cause asthma?
- Authors
Nuttall, S. L.; Williams, J.; Kendall, M. J.
- Abstract
The article presents a study which establishes a relationship between the drug paracetamol and asthma. Asthma is characterized by dyspnoea, cough, chest tightness, wheezing, variable airflow obstruction and marked hyperresponsiveness of the bronchi. Most patients with asthma are atopic, that is they have a genetic predisposition to react adversely to allergic stimuli. Extensive studies of the pathophysiology of asthma have indicated that it is a very complex disorder, which defies simple descriptions but is mediated by an inflammatory response in the bronchi causing very marked bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Contributors to the inflammatory process include 'reactive oxygen species' or free radicals, which are normally controlled by antioxidants such as glutathione. Potentially pro-inflammatory substances that reduce antioxidant defences in the bronchi may predispose to free radical damage, which may present as asthma. Paracetamol is of particular interest in this context.
- Subjects
ACETAMINOPHEN; ASTHMA; ALLERGIES; ANTIOXIDANTS
- Publication
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 2003, Vol 28, Issue 4, p251
- ISSN
0269-4727
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-2710.2003.00492.x