Risk of asthma exacerbation associated with opioid and nonopioid analgesic use in children with current asthma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the United States, asthma occurs in a vast proportion of children and adolescents. Asthma exacerbation is an acute episodic event typically characterized by difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing. Severe asthma exacerbation can be life-threatening and lead to service utilizations such as hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. Opioid analgesic use can trigger an asthma exacerbation through 2 pharmacological mechanisms. Despite the potential mechanisms, there is lack of empirical evidence to determine the risk of asthma exacerbation and its association with opioid use.