A patient with aspirin-sensitive asthma should also AVOID which of the following drugs due to cross-reactivity?
- A Paracetamol (acetaminophen) in standard doses
- B Chlorpheniramine
- C Ibuprofen ✓
- D Montelukast
Correct answer: C. Ibuprofen
Explanation
Aspirin-sensitive asthma (Samter's triad) is a pharmacological reaction, not immune-mediated, caused by COX-1 inhibition. Any NSAID that inhibits COX-1 (ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin) can trigger the same reaction by shifting arachidonic acid metabolism toward excessive leukotriene production (via LOX pathway), causing bronchoconstriction. Paracetamol is a very weak COX inhibitor and is generally safe in therapeutic doses. Montelukast (a leukotriene receptor antagonist) is actually used to treat the condition.
Reference: KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.