Asthma
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 Inhaled Corticosteroïds
Inhaled corticosteroids are also called "controllers". They are the drug of choice for controlling asthma. They are sold in warm-coloured containers (beige, brown, orange, red, etc.).
Brand names include: Azmacort®, Beclodisk®*, Becloforte®*, Beclovent®*, Bronalide®, Flovent®, Pulmicort®, QVAR®, Vanceril®, etc.
Action
Inhaled corticosteroids stabilize asthma by reducing bronchial (airways) inflammation (swelling, redness and secretions).
The effect of this type of medication is slow and gradual. It is the strongest bronchial ( or airway) anti-inflammatory medication after oral (taken by mouth) or injected cortisone.
Dosage
To be effective, inhaled corticosteroids must be taken regularly. Even if you begin feeling better, you must continue taking the medication every day as prescribed. You should never stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. You can always speak to your doctor about increasing the dosage when asthma is worse or decreasing it when asthma is perfectly under control .
This medication should be administered or increased immediately if asthma gets worse.
Side Effects
Possible side effects include loss of voice or hoarseness, and oral thrush (candidiasis-white material in the mouth and throat). At high doses, the body may absorb the drug. Even at high doses, side effects are uncommon but include bruising of skin, and effects on bone and the body's production of cortisone. Even in these cases, the effects are usually minimal, certainly less serious than the effects of long-term use of oral (swallowed) corticosteroids.
To minimize side effects, rinse your mouth after using your inhaler. A spacer device is also helpful if medication is in the form of a metered-dose inhaler.
In normal doses, corticosteroids are very safe, since the cortisone acts locally on the airways and is not absorbed by the rest of the body.
In moderate to high doses, corticosteroids can possibly retard growth in children, but at the low doses usually prescribed, they do not have a significant effect on adult height.
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