by Laura Lamp King

Created on: November 17, 2010

Does Tylenol Cause Asthma in Teens?

Results of an international study suggest that adolescents who take acetaminophen, better known under the brand name Tylenol, have a higher risk of asthma, allergic  nasal  conditions and the skin disorder eczema.

This is not a new theory however, as there have been numerous studies for two decades regarding whether or not Tylenol is linked to asthma, allergic nasal conditions and/or eczema in every age group: adult men, adult women, adolescents, children and infants.

Researches, led by epidemiologist Richard Beasley, Director, Medical Research Institute in Wellington, New Zealand, reported their findings in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. This research is the third in an extensive four phase study of asthma, eczema and rhinitis and how they are related to environment, risk factors and differences in disease management, and examine patterns found and environmental data.

Results in the first two phases of the study revealed epidemiological evidence that the use of acetaminophen may increase the risk of developing asthma.  Children, ages 13-14 years in different populations worldwide were assessed for the risk of asthma and other allergic disorders associated with current use of acetaminophen.

As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three, 13 to 14 year old children completed written and video questionnaires, obtaining data on current symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema, and a written environmental questionnaire obtaining data on putative risk factors including acetaminophen use in the past 12 months.

Examining their use of acetaminophen, other drugs, and asthma symptoms, more than 322,000 adolescent children from 113 centers in 50 countries participated.  They were also shown a video containing five scenes of clinical asthma and asked whether they had experienced any symptoms similar to those shown. About 73% of the teens said they had used acetaminophen at least once in the previous year and 30% said they had used it monthly.

Factoring in maternal education, smoking, diet and siblings, the team found that participants who had used the drug at least once per year were 43% more likely to have asthma, while those who used it at least monthly were 2.5 times as likely to suffer from the condition. The risk of rhinoconjunctivitis (severe nasal congestion) was

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