Aspirin Desensitization: What It Is and How It Helps People with Asthma and Sensitivities

When someone has an aspirin desensitization, a medical process that allows people with aspirin sensitivity to safely tolerate the drug after controlled exposure. Also known as aspirin tolerance induction, it’s not a cure—but for some, it’s the only way to manage chronic sinus issues, asthma, or inflammation without avoiding essential medications. Many people don’t realize that aspirin isn’t just a pain reliever. For those with aspirin allergy, a reaction that can trigger severe asthma, nasal polyps, or hives after taking aspirin or similar drugs, even a small dose can cause breathing problems or dangerous swelling. This isn’t a typical allergy like peanuts. It’s a pharmacological intolerance tied to how the body processes prostaglandins. And it’s surprisingly common—up to 1 in 10 adults with asthma react this way.

Aspirin desensitization works by slowly increasing the dose under strict medical supervision until the body no longer reacts. It’s usually done in a hospital or specialized clinic, with staff ready to handle any reaction. Once complete, patients can take daily aspirin without fear. For many, this means fewer sinus surgeries, better asthma control, and the ability to use other NSAIDs like ibuprofen safely. The process typically takes one to three days. After that, they must keep taking aspirin every day to maintain tolerance. If they stop for more than 48 hours, they may need to go through the process again.

This isn’t for everyone. It’s mostly used for people with asthma and aspirin, a condition where aspirin triggers bronchospasm, worsening asthma symptoms, or those with Samter’s Triad—chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps, and asthma. People who’ve had anaphylaxis from aspirin or severe reactions in the past are often the best candidates. The procedure has been around for decades, but it’s still underused because many doctors don’t know about it or assume the risk is too high. In reality, when done right, it’s safer than living with uncontrolled symptoms.

What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t step-by-step guides—you won’t try this at home. But you will find real-world insights from people managing these conditions, how doctors handle it, and why some patients end up needing it after years of avoiding common painkillers. You’ll also see how this connects to other drug sensitivities, like those with NSAID sensitivity, a broader category that includes reactions to ibuprofen, naproxen, and other non-aspirin pain relievers. These aren’t just medical curiosities. For thousands, they’re daily barriers to managing pain, heart health, or inflammation. And aspirin desensitization can change that.