The key treatments for most people with asthma are steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Not only do steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs help people gain better asthma control, but these asthma drugs help to prevent asthma attacks.

Steroids and other anti-inflammatory drugs work by reducing swelling and mucus production in the airways of a person with asthma. As a result, the airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to asthma triggers, allowing people with symptoms of asthma to have better control over their condition.

What Are the Main Types of Steroids and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Asthma?

The main types of anti-inflammatory drugs for better asthma control are steroids or corticosteroids (inhaled and oral), mast cell stabilizers, the leukotriene modifier drugs, and IgE blockers.

What Are Inhaled Steroids?

Inhaled steroids are the most effective asthma medications to reduce airway inflammation and mucus production. The use of inhaled steroids leads to:

Better asthma control
Fewer symptoms and flare-ups
Reduced need for hospitalization

Note that while inhaled steroids prevent asthma symptoms, they do not relieve asthma symptoms you already have. Dosages of inhaled steroids in asthma inhalers vary.

Inhaled steroids need to be taken daily for best results. Some improvement in asthma symptoms can be seen in one to three weeks after starting inhaled steroids, with the best results seen after three months of daily use.

Inhaled steroids (asthma inhalers) for better asthma control include:

Advair (a combination medication that includes a steroid plus a long-acting bronchodilator drug)
Aerobid
Asmanex
Azmacort
Flovent
Pulmicort
Symbicort (a combination medication that includes a steroid plus a long acting bronchodilator drug)
Qvar

Inhaled steroids come in three forms: the metered dose inhaler (MDI), dry powder inhaler (DPI), and nebulizer solutions.

What Are the Side Effects of Inhaled Steroids?

Inhaled steroids have few side effects, especially at lower doses. If you are taking higher doses, thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth) and hoarseness may occur, although this is rare. Rinsing the mouth, gargling after using the asthma inhaler and using a spacer device with metered dose inhalers will help prevent these side effects. Thrush is easily treated with an antifungal mouthwash.

Inhaled steroids (asthma inhalers) are safe for adults and children. Side effects with these anti-inflammatory asthma inhalers are minimal. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that effectively controls your or your child's asthma.

On a side note, many parents are concerned about giving their children "steroids." The inhaled steroids are not the same as anabolic steroids that some athletes take to build muscle. These steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs, the cornerstone of asthma therapy. There are many benefits of using anti-inflammatory asthma inhalers to self-manage asthma.

To learn more about using inhaled steroids in children, see WebMD's article on Childhood Asthma.

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