FAQs about Oral Steroids for Asthma

• Deltasone® (prednisone)
• Medrol® (methyl-prednisolone)
• Orapred®, Prelone®, Pediapred® (prednisolone)

• Very effective in reducing inflammation in the airways
• Help other quick-relief medicines work better
• The steroids used treating lung disease are corticosteroids and are not the same as the anabolic steroids used illegally by some athletes for bodybuilding. Corticosteroids do not affect the liver or cause sterility

• Available as pills and syrups. Often necessary for treating more severe episodes of asthma
• Usually prescribed as a "burst": 2-7 days, occasionally up to several weeks (see below)
• Side effects with a burst may include increase appetite, fluid retention, moodiness and upset stomach
• For very severe lung disease, routine daily steroid pills may be required. Because long-term treatment can lead to significant side effects, anyone on daily steroid pills should be under the care of an asthma or pulmonary specialist.

Endocrine (hormones):

• Suppression of the adrenal glands 
• Delayed sexual development
• Changes in menstrual cycle
• Increase and change in fat placement causing fullness in the face and weight gain
• Increased blood sugar (diabetes)
• Emotional changes such as moodiness, depression, euphoria or hallucinations.

Endocrine (hormones):

• Your healthcare provider may prescribe your steroid pills at specific times. Make sure you take your steroid pills as prescribed and do not stop them suddenly.
• If you have taken oral steroids, talk with your healthcare provider about obtaining a medical alert bracelet.
• Talk with your healthcare provider if you are having moodiness or depression that doesn't seem to get better.

Fluid and Electrolytes

• Salt and water retention
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Loss of potassium

Fluid and Electrolytes

• Limit the amount of salt and foods that are high in sodium to prevent fluid retention and swelling. Condiments and processed foods tend to be high in sodium.
• Add foods that are high in potassium to your diet.

Eyes

• Increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
• Clouding of vision in one or both eyes (cataracts)

Eyes

• Visit the eye doctor (Ophthalmologist) at least yearly. Inform him or her that you take steroid pills routinely.

Skin

• Increase in body hair and acne
• A tendency to bruise easily
• Thinning of the skin and poor wound healing

Skin

• Ask your healthcare provider about how acne can be treated.
• Keep the skin well moisturized.

Nutrition

• Increase in appetite
• Irritation of stomach and esophagus with possible ulcer symptoms and, rarely, bleeding

Nutrition

• If you are eating more food, be sure you choose low-fat, low-sugar items to control calories. Ask your healthcare provider or dietitian to help you with a specific diet plan.
• Eat a well balanced diet that meets the Food Pyramid Guidelines.
• Take your steroid dose with food to decrease stomach irritation.

Muscles

• Muscle weakness or cramps

Muscles

• Routine exercise may be recommended to prevent or decrease muscle weakness.

Bones

• Joint pain (especially as steroids are decreased)
• Thinning of bones (osteoporosis) may lead to fractures or compressions, especially of the backbone and the hip
• Loss of blood supply to bones (aseptic necrosis) may cause severe bone pain and may require surgical correction

Bones

• To prevent osteoporosis (loss of calcium in the bones), it is important to eat foods high in calcium, such as dairy products. If you need to control calories, low fat dairy products may be used.
• Your healthcare provider or dietician may recommend certain supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D and a multi-vitamin.
• Weight bearing exercise may also be recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Medication may be prescribed to improve osteoporosis.

Immune System

• General suppression of the immune system causes an increased risk to a variety of infections, for example chickenpox

Immune System

• Good handwashing
• Avoid exposure to any infectious disease.
• If you or your child is exposed to chicken pox or measles while receiving oral steroids or high dose inhaled steroids, notify your healthcare provider immediately to determine if any special treatment is needed.