Aspirin desensitization.

Aspirin desensitization can be carried out in all aspirin sensitive patients in whom the reaction is confined to the respiratory tract. Because only a few patients with urticarial reactions to ASA have been studied and the results are inconsistent, desensitization of urticaria patients cannot be recommended at this time. In asthmatic patients with aspirin sensitivity, who undergo ASA desensitization, continuous treatment with ASA or NSAIDs is realistic. Such treatment maintains the desensitized state indefinitely while allowing the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs to participate in the treatment of various diseases, including arthritis, thromboembolic diseases, and probably inflammation in the respiratory tract.