Asthma

Oral Steroids

What are other names for this drug?
Some of the names for oral steroids are prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. Some product names include Prelone Syrup, Pediapred Oral Solution, Orapred, and Medrol.

What does this drug do?
Oral steroids are strong medicines that are most often used for quick-relief of moderate to severe asthma episodes. Oral steroids reduce swelling, inflammation, and mucus production in the airways. They help control and prevent symptoms of asthma.
Although oral steroids are used for quick-relief, they:
o DO NOT immediately open the airways
o DO NOT provide immediate relief of wheezing or acute asthma attacks.
Oral steroids DO speed recovery from a moderate to severe asthma episode and reduce the chance of a relapse.
There are other medicines available which quickly open airways and are used for acute asthma attacks.

How is it taken?
Oral steroids can be taken as pills or syrup. Steroid medicine has a bitter taste. Swallow the pills quickly and do not hold them in your mouth. The syrup also has a bitter taste or after taste and is best swallowed quickly. After swallowing, quickly take a drink of another liquid to rinse your mouth. It is best not to take this medicine on an empty stomach.

What is the usual dose?
There is no usual dose of steroids. They are carefully prescribed by your doctor for a specific amount of time. Typically, they are given for a 3-5 day period and should not be taken any longer unless specifically instructed to do so.

What side effects can steroids cause?
Side effects vary from person to person and depend on how much, how often, and how long the medication is taken. The most common side effect of steroids taken for a short time is an increased appetite. Some people also have more energy, feel a sense well-being, and have trouble sleeping. Others may feel sad or irritable.
Side effects of oral steroids taken daily, for long periods of time, and/or at high doses can be serious and may take a long time to go away once the medication is stopped.

What special instructions should be followed?
Always take the prescribed amount for the length of time prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop taking the medicine without checking with your doctor.

Adapted from material written by the Asthma Task Force at The Children's Hospital, Denver.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.