Corticosteroids are a type of medication used for asthma treatment. No all asthma patients use corticosteroids. Some asthma inhalers contain corticosteroids. The amount in the inhaler is less than an oral corticosteroid in pill form would be. Asthma inhalers containing corticosteroids may be metered dose or dry powder asthma inhalers. Oral corticosteroids are often used for moderate to severe cases of asthma.

Corticosteroids for asthma, also called glucocorticosteroids, are a manmade version of cortisol, a hormone that naturally occurs in the body. The forms of corticosteroids for asthma are pills, medication in inhalers, and as an intravenous fluid (IV). A corticosteroid IV may be used in the emergency room to treat an acute asthma attack. When an asthma inhaler contains corticosteroids, the corticosteroids reduce the inflammation of the airways. The direct action on the airways provides the anti-inflammatory relief with a decreased risk of side effects and drug interactions caused by corticosteroids.

Oral corticosteroids in pill form are sometimes used for asthma treatment to control ongoing inflammation of the airways and prevent asthma symptoms. Long-term use of corticosteroids has been associated with some potentially serious side effects. In children, corticosteroids may stunt growth. Corticosteroids can cause serious infections in individuals who are exposed to viral infections like the chickenpox.

Long-term use of corticosteroids could make the person susceptible to developing cataracts or glaucoma. An individual taking corticosteroids should contact their doctor immediately if they experience eye pain or changes in vision. A thinning of the skin or puffiness of the face can result from long-term corticosteroid use. Corticosteroids can also cause sleep problems. Stomach pain, bloody stools, and pain, swelling, or paralysis of the lower leg are warning signs of serious side effects. If someone develops any of the symptoms, they should notify their doctor.

Despite the risks, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the inclusion of a corticosteroid medication as part of asthma treatment. Recent studies have shown that asthma treatment without corticosteroids increases the person’s risk of asthma-related hospitalization or even death. So, corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to people with asthma who may be at risk of not having their asthma symptoms fully controlled without a steroid medication. In a situation in which the asthma symptoms are not fully controlled with another medication but the physician does not want the full risk of long-term corticosteroid use for the patient, the doctor may prescribed corticosteroids to be taken on alternate days.