Intolerance to aspirin.

The aspirin intolerance syndrome is characterized by rhinitis and/or sinusitis, nasal polyposis and asthma, with or without a history of adverse reactions, following aspirin ingestion. The frequency of this syndrome in a total population of patients with asthma and/or rhinitis has recently been estimated to be 2.4 percent. Aspirin-intolerant individuals can tolerate sodium salicylate and acetaminophen but indomethacin, morphine, codeine and certain pharmaceutical dyes may cause adverse reactions. The mechanism of aspirin intolerance is as yet unclear but does not appear to be on an immunologic basis. Treatment includes strict avoidance of aspirin and symptomatic therapy of rhinitis and asthma.