This is the most common concern among asthma patients — fear of corticosteroids makes many stop their preventer inhaler, which is a big mistake.
The Truth:
- Inhaled corticosteroid ≠oral or injectable corticosteroid.
- The dose is very small: 100-500 micrograms compared to 5,000-40,000 micrograms in pills.
- Works locally in the lungs — less than 1% reaches the blood.
- Scientific evidence from 50+ years confirms its safety.
Possible Side Effects (and how to avoid them):
- Oral thrush: Occurs when not rinsing mouth after use — rinsing prevents it entirely.
- Hoarseness: Rare — improves with better technique or changing inhaler type.
- Growth effect in children: 0.5-1 cm reduction in final height — versus the risk of uncontrolled asthma attacks!
What Happens Without Preventer Inhaler:
- Chronic inflammation worsens — airways narrow permanently (Remodeling).
- More frequent and severe attacks — requiring oral corticosteroids (far more side effects).
- ER visits and hospitalizations.
Bottom line: Not using the inhaler is far more harmful than using it.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we explain benefits and risks of each medication honestly so you can make an informed decision.