IT IS TIME TO CHANGE THE USE OF ORAL GLUCOCORTICOIDS IN ASTHMA

Abstract

Oral glucocorticoids continue to be commonly used and overused to manage asthma across the disease spectrum, particularly for severe asthma. Long-term use results in acute and chronic adverse effects. Patients receiving repeated short-term, high dosages may incur a greater risk of adverse events than those receiving long-term, low dosages. The risk of adverse events increases with the cumulative dosage of oral glucocorticoids. Despite the availability of new well-tolerated, effective, targeted biologic medications, oral glucocorticoids remain one of the treatment options in the current asthma guidelines. The introduction of biologics has led to a reduction in systemic glucocorticoids use in other disease areas but not in asthma. The usage of these medications should be reduced as much as possible, and if oral glucocorticoids are prescribed, they should be prescribed at lesser dosages.