Description
5-10% of asthmatic patients are aspirin-sensitive. Other NSAIDs inhibiting cyclooxygenance-1 show a similar effect, but the newer COX-2 inhibitors appear to be safer. The fundamental defect in these patients appears to be overproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes, regardless of aspirin exposure. Leukotriene inhibitors may benefit these patients, but many suffer from severe, unrelenting asthma and rhinitis.
