Legal status differs between countries and can change; each row cites the document it was taken from and applies only to the country named.
What it is used for
The cornerstone of asthma treatment: daily to prevent attacks and control symptoms
COPD with frequent exacerbations and high blood eosinophils, combined with long-acting bronchodilators
Combined inhalers with formoterol used as both preventer and reliever (MART regimens)
How it works in the body
Steroid molecules deposited on the airway lining diffuse into cells and bind glucocorticoid receptors, which move to the nucleus and switch off the genes for inflammatory cytokines, reduce eosinophils and mast cells, and shrink mucosal swelling and mucus. Inhaling delivers a tiny dose straight to the airways, so the whole-body effects of steroid tablets are largely avoided. Benefit builds over days to weeks and depends on daily use.
Common side effects
Oral thrush and hoarse voice (rinse the mouth and use a spacer)
Sore throat, cough on inhaling
Serious: seek help
Pneumonia risk in COPD at higher doses
At high doses long term: adrenal suppression, reduced bone density, cataract and glaucoma, easy bruising, a small effect on growth in children
Sudden stopping of high doses can unmask adrenal insufficiency
Cautions and interactions
Use the lowest dose that keeps control, stepped up or down at review
Long-acting beta agonists must never be used alone in asthma without a steroid
Carry a steroid card at high doses; check bone density if on high dose for years
Technique check at every review
Interactions
Check interactions
Taking Inhaled corticosteroids with other medicines? Add them to the checker to see what the official sources say about each pair: the mechanism, general management and monitoring, never a bare "safe".
Interactions documented in the official sources cited on each card. The list covers the medicines represented on this site and is not exhaustive; how the interaction data is compiled.
No pair records for this medicine are in the sources currently represented by Anatomy Nexus. Absence from this list does not mean no interaction exists.
As a member of Corticosteroids
Records written for the whole corticosteroids class apply to Inhaled corticosteroids.
Medicines that share the class of Inhaled corticosteroids. They are separate medicines with their own licences, doses and interactions, not alternative names for Inhaled corticosteroids.
Medicines often discussed alongside Inhaled corticosteroids: used together, compared with it, or acting on the same problem by a different route.
Educational content. Anatomy Nexus provides medical education and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing or pharmacist review. Doses, choices and monitoring are decided by a prescriber for an individual; never start, stop or change a medicine on the basis of this page.
