Aspirin Desensitization
Certain asthmatic patients who also suffer from nasal polyps, sinusitis and allergic reactions to aspirin may benefit from aspirin desensitization. These patients can suffer from sudden asthma attacks when taking aspirin. While avoiding aspirin is a solution, the patients continue to have asthmatic symptoms, formation of nasal polyps and frequent sinus infections.
Reintroducing aspirin to these patients in a controlled medical setting has been shown to reduce the symptoms of all three problems. It can help reduce sinus surgery, and reduce the need for inhaled steroids.
The patient typically spends about 6 hours in the office, starting with very small doses of aspirin, and gradually increasing the dose to the equivalent of a baby aspirin or often up to a regular strength, 325mg dose of aspirin, depending upon the patient's tolerance. As the dose is increased, there is a chance of a sudden asthma attack, therefore the patient is monitored by medical staff continuously.
Once the patient is up to the dose tolerated, they are asked to continue taking the aspirin, at the designated dose daily. Once desensitized, patients will find their symptoms decreased, reducing their need for medications and improving their asthma.