The name of your oral corticosteroid is ______________________________.
Oral corticosteroids are pills that you swallow and use when your asthma starts to flare-up. They decrease airway swelling. This opens the airways and makes it easier to breathe.
Side Effects
Side effects may include:
Increased appetite
Changes in mood
Trouble sleeping
Stomach-ache
These side effects should improve when you are done taking the medicine.
If you take this medicine for a long time, other side effects may include:
Weight gain
Weak bones (osteoporosis)
Decrease in growth (height) for a child
Higher risk for infection
Eye changes (cataracts)
Increase in blood pressure
Increase in blood sugar (diabetes)
Bruising and skin changes
Directions
Take each dose with food.
If you take it once a day, take it in the morning with breakfast.
If you take it twice a day. take it in the morning with breakfast and again in the mid-afternoon with a snack.
Length of Treatment
Most often, providers prescribe these medicines for a short time, usually 5-10 days. They are part of the Red Zone plan on many written Asthma Action Plans.
Talk with your health care team if you take or plan to take oral corticosteroids for a long time.
If you take an oral corticosteroid for more than 10 days, do not stop taking it until you talk with your health care team. Your health care team may suggest a taper to slowly lower your dose over time.