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XXIX.a

XXIX - Small airway involvement

Bronchospasm - Wheezing - Asthma

Last update 17/06/2026

(Fr: bronchospasme, asthme). Including bronchospasm, bronchoconstriction, de novo subacute asthma, asthma attack and deterioration or exacerbation of preexisting/underlying asthma. Can be sudden and very severe, causing asphyxia followed by irreversible hypoxic brain damage (see also under IVf). NSAIDs, ß-blockers and antibiotics are the main causal agents. Patients with a background of atopy or asthma are particularly at risk. In a few individuals, the asthma may persist despite cessation of exposure (PMID 45308). Healthcare workers can be involved when handling drugs (PMID 3612323). Workers in the drug-manufacturing (e.g. antibiotics) industry can develop bronchospasm or asthma as a manifestation of drug-induced occupational disease (PMID 16436155, 21603168, 30075340)

Causative drugs

Frequency - Incidence

Incidence of cardiac adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as assessed by number of reported/published cases in the literature. Red digits in stars indicate: 0 = Very rare, questionable signal · 1 = < 10 cases · 2 = 10-50 cases · 3 = 50–100 cases · 4 = 100-200 cases · 5 = >200 cases

Evidence level/grade

Evidence level for cardiac adverse event(s) due to the specific drug as estimated using Hill’s (1965), Naranjo’s (1981), and Bégaud’s (1985) criteria applied to published cases. Blue digits in stars indicate: 0 = Questionable · 1 = Low · 2 = Moderate · 3 = Robust · 4 = Definite · 5 = Unquestionable, pathognomonic