If you have asthma and take NSAIDs like ibuprofen or aspirin, you could be triggering a dangerous reaction. Learn what NERD is, who’s at risk, which painkillers are safe, and what to do if you react.
Asthma and Painkillers: What You Need to Know About Risks and Safe Use
When you have asthma, a chronic lung condition that causes airway swelling and breathing trouble. Also known as reactive airway disease, it means even everyday things like cold air, pollen, or certain medications can set off an attack. One of the most overlooked triggers? Common painkillers, drugs used to relieve headaches, muscle aches, or arthritis pain. Also known as analgesics, they’re in nearly every medicine cabinet—but not all are safe for people with asthma.
Take NSAIDs, a class of painkillers that includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, they work by blocking inflammation—but for about 1 in 5 people with asthma, that same mechanism can cause the airways to tighten suddenly. This isn’t just a mild reaction. Some people go from feeling fine to struggling to breathe within minutes after taking one. Aspirin is the most common offender, but ibuprofen and naproxen can trigger the same response. It’s called aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, or AERD. If you’ve ever had a bad reaction to a painkiller and then felt your chest get tight, wheezed, or had a stuffy nose, this might be why.
Not all painkillers are dangerous, though. acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol and other common pain relievers. Also known as paracetamol, it works differently than NSAIDs and doesn’t affect the same inflammatory pathways. For most people with asthma, acetaminophen is the safer pick. But even that’s not a free pass—taking too much can damage your liver, so stick to the recommended dose. The key is knowing what’s in your medicine. Check labels. Ask your pharmacist. And if you’ve ever had a bad reaction, keep a note of it—don’t wait for the next attack to figure it out.
What you take for pain matters just as much as what you take for your inhaler. Many people with asthma don’t realize their painkiller could be making their breathing worse. They think, "It’s just a headache pill," and pop it without thinking. But if you’re managing asthma, every medication counts. That’s why doctors often recommend avoiding NSAIDs entirely if you’ve had a reaction before. And if you need something stronger? There are alternatives—like physical therapy, heat packs, or even low-dose antidepressants for chronic pain—that don’t touch your lungs at all.
Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve been there: how to spot the warning signs, which painkillers to avoid, how to talk to your doctor without sounding alarmist, and what to do if you accidentally take the wrong one. This isn’t about fear—it’s about control. You don’t have to choose between pain relief and breathing easy. You just need to know what works—and what doesn’t.