Corticosteroids - Treating Your Condition: Respiratory Health

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Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are powerful drugs that suppress inflammation. They reduce the activity of prostaglandins, chemicals in the body that cause inflammation and make the airways constrict. Although these anti-inflammatory agents are mainstays of asthma therapy, they play a smaller role in treating COPD, as they are only useful for managing symptoms. Like bronchodilators, they don't slow the progress of the disease. But they can help reduce symptoms in some patients and may decrease the frequency and severity of acute exacerbations.

Corticosteroids are available in inhalers and as pills. The inhaled form is used as maintenance therapy for COPD patients who do not get enough help from bronchodilators. Several inhaled corticosteroids are used for COPD, including fluticasone (Flovent), budesonide (Pulmicort), beclomethasone (Beclovent and others), triamcinolone (Azmacort), and mometasone (Asmanex). Adverse effects include throat irritation, easy bruising of the skin, hoarseness, and thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth). You can decrease the risk of thrush by rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash and spitting out after each time you use an inhaled steroid.

Corticosteroids in pill form, such as prednisone, can cause more serious problems, such as increased risk of infections, glaucoma, osteoporosis, and many other potential complications that you should discuss with your doctor. Doctors generally try to avoid prescribing corticosteroids in pill form for long-term use because of the potential side effects and complications, including those listed above. The more you use corticosteroids, the greater the risk of side effects.

Last updated:	May 23, 2007