Oral Steroid Medicines for Breathing Problems

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KEY POINTS

• Oral steroid medicines are used to treat breathing problems caused by asthma. They do not provide quick relief for acute attacks.
• Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than he or she is supposed to take.
• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects the medicine may cause, and what you should do if your child has side effects.

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What are oral steroid medicines used for?

Oral steroid medicines are often given for short periods of time to treat asthma symptoms. Your child may need to take steroid medicine for several days even if your child is not having symptoms. They help prevent asthma attacks, but do not provide quick relief of wheezing in acute attacks. For acute asthma attacks, your child will need a different type of medicine called a rescue inhaler.

Asthma symptoms are caused by two different problems in the airways:

• One problem is that the tiny muscles around the airways tighten up, which causes shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and sometimes chest tightness.
• The other problem is redness, swelling, irritation, and too much mucus in the airways.

If your child has asthma, symptoms often start after your child is exposed to a trigger. Asthma triggers can include:

• Exercise and other physical activity
• Allergies such as dust, pollen, mold, or animal dander
• Something that irritates the lungs such as cold air, smoke, or strong smells such as paint, soap, candles, or perfume
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• An infection such as a cold, the flu, or a sinus infection
• Strong emotions or stress
• Indigestion or heartburn, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If your child often has problems with indigestion you may have more asthma symptoms, especially while lying down.

Try to limit your child’s contact with these triggers, especially in places where your child spends a lot of time such as at home and school or work. Your child should keep a rescue inhaler with him or her at all times in case your child has an asthma attack.

How do they work?

Oral steroid medicines are similar to hormones made by your child’s body. They block some of the chemicals that cause irritation and swelling. By lessening the swelling, you child will have fewer symptoms and be able to breathe better.

Oral steroid medicines can be taken as pills, chewable tablets, or syrup.

Using a steroid medicine for a long time can have serious side effects. Steroid medicine needs to be taken exactly as your child’s healthcare provider prescribes. Your child should not take more or less of it than prescribed by your child’s provider and should not take it longer than prescribed. Your child should not stop taking a steroid medicine without your child’s provider's advice. Your child may have to lower the dosage slowly before stopping it.

What else do I need to know about this medicine?

• Follow the directions that come with your child’s medicine, including information about food. Ask for written information to take home. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you need information in a different language or larger type.
• Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than he or she is supposed to take.
• Try to get all of your child’s prescriptions filled at the same place. Your pharmacist can help make sure that all of your child’s medicines are safe to take together.
• Keep a list of your child’s medicines with you. Tell your child's healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and supplements your child takes.
• Many medicines have side effects. A side effect is a symptom or problem that is caused by the medicine itself. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects the medicine may cause and what you should do if your child has side effects.

If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Be sure to keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.