Is Preventing Inhaled Corticosteroids Side Effects Possible?

Question: Is Preventing Inhaled Corticosteroids Side Effects Possible?

Answer:

While most people will not develop side effects from inhaled corticosteroids, there is still risk. There are a number of things that can assist you in preventing inhaled corticosteroid side effects:

• Using a spacer or valved holding chamber -- devices that help deliver the medication -- can decrease your risk of local side effects like oral candidiasis (fungal infection), dysphonia (voice change due to the inhaled steroid), or bronchospasm (acute asthma symptoms brought on by inhalation).
• Rinsing and spitting after each inhalation.
• If your asthma symptoms are poorly controlled after low-dose inhaled steroids, talk to your doctor about adding a long-acting beta agonist instead of increasing the dose of your inhaled steroid. Lower doses of medication mean less chance of developing side effects.
• If it is your child who is on an inhaled steroid, make sure to regularly see your pediatric healthcare provider to ensure that proper growth is being maintained.
• Both male and female adult patients should consider 1000 to 15000 milligrams of calcium and 400 to 800 units of vitamin D supplementation per day. If you are at high risk for osteoporosis or already have osteopenia, you and your healthcare provider may want to consider sparing treatments like bisphophonates.

While the risks are low, these tips will help in preventing inhaled corticosteroids side effects.

_Sources:

_{National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: August 16, 2009. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma}