Acetaminophen, best known as Tylenol, reduces fever and relieves minor aches and pain from arthritis, colds, sore throats and immunizations. Several studies have linked the use of acetaminophen to asthma and allergies. Most recently, an epidemiological study published in the August 2010 issue of the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine" found new evidence that continued use of acetaminophen increases the risks of asthma, eczema and allergic nasal congestion in adolescents compared to those who have never used the drug. However, a randomized controlled trial is necessary to determine if acetaminophen directly causes allergies and asthma, says the author's study, Dr. Richard Beasley to MedlinePlus, and cautions patients from making conclusions about symptoms of allergy related to acetaminophen use based on one study.
Asthma Symptoms
Asthma-related symptoms include mild episodes of wheezing and cough, to more severe flare-ups involving loud wheezing, nighttime cough, breathing difficulty and chest tightness. According to a MedlinePlus report on the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine" study, adolescents who used acetaminophen at least once a month experienced2.5 times the risk of asthma compared to those who never used the drug, and reported severe symptoms of asthma, including difficulty breathing and disturbed sleep.
Eczema
Symptoms of eczema include red, extremely itchy rashes that become brown, scaly and thick with continued scratching. The rash may appear on the inner forearms, behind the knees and opposite the elbows. According to MedlinePlus, frequent users of acetaminophen had nearly 100 percent increased risk for eczema, and medium users or those who took the drug at least once a year had a 31 percent increased risk.
Rhinoconjunctivitis
Symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis include red, burning or itchy, watery eyes, itchy, runny nose and throat, and sneezing. According to MedlinePlus, teenagers who took acetaminophen once a month doubled their risk of developing rhinoconjunctivitis compared to nonusers, and occasional users had 38 percent greater risk.
