Thank you for consulting with Doctor spring. I understand that you are worried about the long term effects of the inhaled corticosteroid medication which you have been probably taking for you bronchial asthma.

Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) are what are known as one of the controlled therapies for asthma. The advent of ICS has really revolutionized asthma therapy. They are beneficial in treating asthma of any severity and age. As a rule, ICS's are administered as twice daily medications but in patients with mild attacks only, they can even be given once daily. The benefits of taking ICS's are:

• Rapid reduction in the symptoms of asthma over a period of days
• Reduction of Airway Hyper Reactivity (an abnormal process which the central cause behind asthmatic attacks)
• Reduction in attacks of Exercise Induced asthma
• Reduction in night time attacks
• Reduction in the overall incidence of severe attacks requiring hospitalization
• Early treatment with ICS's can prevent the long term changes in lung architecture that occur as an effect of asthma.

It is also known that stopping ICS's in a patient who requires them can lead the patient to go back to a state where there is less control over the attacks. This proves that though corticosteroids can control asthmatic attacks, they cannot cure any patient of asthma. So, like medications for Diabetes or Hypertension, ICS's are required in a constant baseline dose to control attacks in patients who require them. ICS's are now considered first line drugs for control of persistent asthma.

Side effects of ICS's include local and systemic. Local side effects are due to the formulation of the drugs and the fact that the drug is being inhaled. The common local side effects are a voice change and oral candidiasis due to deposition of the drug n the throat and mouth. These can be reduced with the help of large volume spacer devices which are available on prescription.

Although many users of ICS's for asthma are concerned about the long term side effects of corticosteroids, several studies have proven that these are minimal. There is no evidence of growth retardation in children or weakening of bones in adults which are the well known side effects of oral and corticosteroid injections.

So, it is important that you continue you ICS preparation because it is doing a lot for you in terms of reducing the number and severity of attacks. It is also important for you to recognize worsening control of asthma and consult your doctor regarding stepping up treatment to ensure adequate control of your condition. Hope this information was of use to you.