Corticosteroid (Inhalation)
Class Name: corticosteroid (Inhalation route)
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Aerobid
- Aerobid-M
- Alvesco
- Armonair Digihaler with eModule
- Arnuity Ellipta
- Asmanex Twist
- Azmacort
- Beclovent
- Flovent
- Flovent Rotadisk
- Pulmicort
- Pulmicort Turbuhaler
- Qvar
In Canada
- Asmanex Twisthaler
- Azmax Twisthaler
- Becloforte
- Flovent Diskus
- Flovent Hfa
- Flovent Nebules
- Pulmicort Nebuamp
- Rhinocort Turbuhaler
Available Dosage Forms:
- Aerosol Liquid
- Powder
- Aerosol Powder
- Suspension
Uses for this Medicine
Inhalation corticosteroids are cortisone-like medicines. They are used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. When used regularly every day, inhalation corticosteroids decrease the number and severity of asthma attacks. However, they will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.
Inhaled corticosteroids work by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms.
This medicine may be used with other asthma medicines, such as bronchodilators (medicines that open up narrowed breathing passages) or other corticosteroids taken by mouth.
Inhalation corticosteroids are available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using this Medicine
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Inhalation corticosteroids have been tested in children and, except for the possibility of slowed growth, in low effective doses, have not been shown to cause different side effects or problems than they do in adults.
Studies have shown that slowed growth or reduced adrenal gland function may occur in some children using inhaled corticosteroids in recommended doses. However, poorly controlled asthma may cause slowed growth, especially when corticosteroids taken by mouth are needed. Your doctor will want you to use the lowest possible dose of an inhaled corticosteroid that will control the asthma. This will lessen the chance of an effect on growth or adrenal gland function. It is also important that children taking inhaled corticosteroids visit their doctors regularly so that their growth rates may be monitored.
Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids may allow some children to stop using or decrease the amount of corticosteroids taken by mouth. This also will reduce the risk of slowed growth or reduced adrenal function.
Children who are using inhaled corticosteroids in large doses should avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles. When a child is exposed or the disease develops, the doctor should be contacted and his or her directions should be followed carefully.
Before this medicine is given to a child, you and your child's doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it. Follow the doctor's directions very carefully to lessen the chance that unwanted effects will occur.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of inhaled corticosteroids ha...
