Aspirin Desensitization: What It Is and Who Needs It

When you can’t take aspirin, a common pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drug often used to prevent heart attacks and reduce inflammation. Also known as acetylsalicylic acid, it's one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world.—but you get severe breathing problems, nasal congestion, or even an asthma attack just from a small dose—you’re not alone. This isn’t just an allergy. It’s called aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, a condition where NSAIDs like aspirin trigger severe airway inflammation in people with chronic sinusitis and asthma. Also known as AERD, a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the sinuses and lungs, often linked to nasal polyps and persistent asthma., this condition affects up to 1 in 10 adults with asthma and nasal polyps. Most people assume they just need to avoid aspirin forever. But there’s a proven path forward: aspirin desensitization, a controlled medical process that gradually introduces aspirin to reduce or eliminate hypersensitivity reactions.

Aspirin desensitization isn’t for everyone. It’s typically recommended for people with AERD who keep getting sinus infections, need repeated surgeries for nasal polyps, or have asthma that won’t improve with standard treatments. The process happens in a clinic under close supervision. You start with a tiny dose of aspirin—so small it won’t trigger a reaction—and slowly increase it over hours or days until your body adjusts. Once you’re desensitized, you keep taking a daily maintenance dose. Studies show this doesn’t just reduce symptoms—it cuts down on sinus surgeries by over 50% and improves lung function in most patients. It also lets people safely use other NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen, which they used to avoid entirely.

What makes this even more valuable is how it ties into other conditions you might be managing. If you’ve been told to avoid all painkillers because of your asthma or sinus issues, aspirin desensitization can open up better options for pain, heart health, and inflammation control. It’s not a cure, but it’s one of the few treatments that actually changes the long-term course of AERD. People who stick with it report fewer hospital visits, better sleep, and less reliance on steroids. The process takes time, requires commitment, and must be done under medical supervision—but for those who qualify, it’s life-changing. Below, you’ll find real-world stories and practical guides on how this treatment fits into daily life, what to expect during the process, and how to manage side effects safely.