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Observational studies suggest an association between the use of acetaminophen and both the development of asthma and the worsening of control in established asthma in children. The possible mechanism is depletion of glutathione that leads to increased oxidative injury. The effect of acetaminophen on asthma has never been prospectively studied.
In a prospective, double-blinded study, 300 children aged 1 to 5 years with mild persistent asthma were randomized to receive acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed at home for fever or pain during a 48-week period.
Participants received an average of 5.5 doses during the study. Nearly half of the children had an asthma exacerbation requiring oral steroids, but neither this primary endpoint nor secondary …