Acetaminophen Does Not Exacerbate Asthma in Children

US Pharm. 2016;41(9):12.

Boston, MA—Contrary to earlier reports, asthma in young children is not worsened by acetaminophen, according to a multicenter, randomized, prospective trial conducted by Boston Children’s Hospital. Families of 300 children aged 1 to 5 years with mild, persistent asthma were randomized to give the children either acetaminophen or ibuprofen as indicated for pain or fever over 48 weeks. Both groups received the same asthma-control therapies, and medication adherence was closely monitored. The trial was completed by 75% of patients. The amounts of acetaminophen and ibuprofen used for pain or fever were similar between groups (median 5.5 doses). There were no between-group differences in asthma exacerbation or control, and researchers concluded that acetaminophen does not aggravate asthma in young children on controller therapy for mild asthma.