How long do inhaled corticosteroids take to work

Corticosteroids (inhaled)

Translations available: Spanish

Generic name Brand name
___ beclomethasone QVAR®
___ budesonide Pulmicort®
___ flunisolide AeroBid®, Nasarel®
___ fluticasone Flovent®
___ mometasone Azmanex®
___ triamcinolone Azmacort®

How does the medicine work?

Inhaled corticosteroids (kore-tuh-ko-stair-oyds) decrease and prevent swelling, inflammation, and mucus (phlegm) inside the airways. They do not make you feel better right away. It may take 3 to 6 weeks before the swelling is decreased.

Corticosteroids are naturally made in the body to fight swelling. They are not the same as the steroids that some athletes have used to increase muscle mass and strength.

This medicine needs to be taken every day even when your child is well. Do not stop using it until your child's doctor has told you to do so.

Never use this medicine to treat an asthma episode. Use a quick-acting bronchodilator inhaler like albuterol to stop an episode.

How should I give it?

Inhaled corticosteroids are available as a metered dose inhaler, a dry powder, and a nebulizer form. Ask your nurse, pharmacist or doctor to show you how to use this medicine. See the education sheet, "Inhalers" for instructions.

It is most important to take it every day, and to take the prescribed number of doses each day.

Are there any precautions about food or other medicines?

There are no problems with food.

If your child needs to use a quick-acting bronchodilator at the same time as taking the corticosteroid inhaler, use the bronchodilator first.

What should I do if a dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember, and try to space the doses out so you get the right number that day.

What are the side effects?

Inhaled corticosteroids have not been shown to cause serious side effects even when used for long periods of time. This is because they are used in low doses and inhaled directly into the lungs. They are safer and cause fewer side effects than taking frequent oral "bursts" of prednisone.

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause thrush, a yeast infection of tiny white spots in the mouth. If you notice this, call your child's doctor. To prevent thrush, after using the medicine, your child should rinse the mouth with water and spit it out.

When should I call the clinic?

  • fever, chills
  • cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose
  • signs of thrush (sores or white patches in mouth or throat)
  • worsening of asthma symptoms
  • signs of allergic reaction:
    - rash or hives
    - swelling or tingling in hands, face, mouth, or throat
    - trouble breathing - call 911

What else do I need to know?

You and your child should know the names of all the medicines he or she is taking. Share this information with anyone involved in your child's health care.

Always make sure you have enough medicine on hand. Ask your child's doctor or pharmacist how long each inhaler should last and get into the habit of refilling your inhalers regularly. Each time you refill the prescription, check to see how many refills are left. If no refills are left the pharmacy will need 2 or 3 days to contact the clinic to renew the prescription.

Inhalers are designed to work at room temperature. Do not allow inhalers to freeze or become very hot. Do not store in humid places such as the bathroom. Keep them out of children's reach, locked up if possible.

If too much or the wrong kind of medicine is taken, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Questions?

This sheet is not specific to your child, but provides general information. If you have any questions, please call the clinic or pharmacy.

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
Patient/Family Education
2525 Chicago Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Last reviewed 8/2015 ©Copyright

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Inhaled steroids, also called inhaled corticosteroids, are a group of anti-inflammatory drugs that help treat breathing disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Inhaling medication is often the optimal method of treating lung disease. An inhaler is a device that helps deliver drugs into the airways.

This article provides an overview of inhaled steroids, including their uses and types. We also describe how to take them, how long these medications last, and their side effects.

Inhaled steroids are treatments for breathing disorders.

There are several advantages to inhaling steroids, rather than taking them by mouth. Inhalation allows high levels of the drugs to reach the airways and low levels to reach the rest of the body. Taken orally, steroids have more wide-ranging effects.

Some advantages to using inhaled steroids include smaller dosages and fewer adverse effects. Using inhaled steroids may also reduce the need for oral steroids.

Doctors mainly prescribe inhaled steroids to treat asthma and COPD.

Asthma

Children and adults with asthma can use inhaled steroids alone or in combination with long-acting bronchodilators.

The Global Initiative For Asthma (GINA) recognize inhaled steroids as the most effective anti-inflammatory type of drug for asthma. GINA recommend inhaled steroids because they can:

  • reduce the frequency of symptoms
  • slow lung damage
  • improve the quality of life
  • result in fewer hospital admissions
  • reduce the risk of dying from asthma

COPD

People with COPD often use a combination of an inhaled steroid and long-acting bronchodilator.

Or, they may use a combination inhaler that contains a steroid, a long-acting bronchodilator, and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA).

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommend inhaled steroids plus long-acting bronchodilators for treating COPD. They also recommend a combination of an inhaled steroid, a long-acting steroid, and a LAMA for COPD.

Share on PinterestA doctor will determine which inhaled steroid is most suitable, depending on the condition.

Common types of inhaled steroids include:

  • beclomethasone (Qvar)
  • budesonide (Pulmicort)
  • budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort) – a combination of a steroid plus a long-acting bronchodilator drug
  • ciclesonide (Alvesco)
  • fluticasone (Flovent HFA)
  • fluticasone propionate (Flovent Diskus)
  • fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta)
  • fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (Advair) — a combination of a steroid plus a long-acting bronchodilator
  • fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (Trelegy Ellipta) — a combination of a steroid, an anticholinergic, and a long-acting bronchodilator drug
  • mometasone furoate (Asmanex)
  • mometasone/formoterol (Dulera) — a combination of a steroid plus a long-acting bronchodilator drug

In people with asthma or COPD, inflammation narrows the airways and restricts breathing.

To combat this, inhaled steroids block inflammatory cells and cut off inflammatory signals. This reduces the narrowing and opens the airways.

To be effective, the right amount of drug needs to reach the right part of the lungs. All of this depends on the drug, the inhaler, and how consistently a person uses it.

People should use inhaled steroids consistently to minimize airway inflammation and prevent symptoms. A study from 2017 reported that 6% of people with COPD used their inhaler regularly and correctly.

People of different ages face different challenges when using their inhalers. For example:

  • Younger children may not have the coordination to use a metered dose inhaler.
  • Older children may face peer criticism or reduced access to medication during school hours.
  • Adolescents may also face peer criticism, and changes to behavior and mental health can play a role.
  • Older adults may experience limited vision or physical strength, which can lead to incorrect inhaler use.

The correct use of an inhaler is critical for controlling symptoms. Incorrect use can cause a person to experience more symptoms, leading to more doctor visits, antibiotic use, and oral corticosteroid use.

Results of a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine indicated that coaching could reduce hospital admissions among people with COPD.

Because each inhaler device is different, people should carefully read the instructions. Healthcare providers should coach people on the correct use, point out the most common errors, and review the correct use at each appointment. A person should also receive this guidance if they change devices.

Many people need more than one inhaler to control symptoms. In these cases, coaching on the proper use of inhalers becomes even more critical because of the added complexity of using more than one device.

It is crucial that healthcare providers recommend the most suitable type of inhaler. For example, while metered dose inhalers require a higher level of coordination, dry powder inhalers do not.

If an inhaled steroid alone does not control asthma symptoms, a doctor may recommend an increased dosage or the addition of a drug that acts as a long-acting bronchodilator.

People should start and stop using inhaled steroids under the supervision of a physician. A doctor should also monitor any switch from an oral to an inhaled steroid.

People should not use inhaled steroids for immediate symptom relief.

The following dosages are based on recommendations from the National Library of Medicine:

Drug Age Condition Recommended starting dosage Maximum dosage
beclomethasone (Qvar) adults and adolescents asthma 40–160 micrograms (mcg) 320 mcg twice daily
ages 5–11 asthma 40 mcg twice daily 80 mcg twice daily
budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler) adults asthma 360 mcg twice daily 720 mcg twice daily
ages 6–17 asthma 180 mcg twice daily 360 mcg twice daily
ciclesonide (Alvesco) adults and ages 12+ asthma 80 mcg twice daily 320 mcg twice daily
fluticasone (Flovent HFA) adults and ages 12+ asthma 88 mcg twice daily 880 mcg twice daily
ages 4–11 asthma 88 mcg twice daily
fluticasone propionate (Flovent Diskus) adults and ages 12+ asthma 100 mcg twice daily 1,000 mcg twice daily
ages 4–11 asthma 50 mcg twice daily 100 mcg twice daily
fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta) adults and ages 12+ asthma one daily inhalation of Arnuity Ellipta 100 mcg or Arnuity Ellipta 200 mcg
ages 5–11 asthma one daily inhalation of Arnuity Ellipta 50 mcg
ages 5–11
fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair Diskus) adults and ages 12+ asthma one inhalation of Advair Diskus 100/50, 250/50, or 500/50 twice daily 500/50 twice daily
ages 4–11 asthma one inhalation of 100/50 twice daily
adults COPD one inhalation of 250/50 twice daily
fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (Trelegy Ellipa) adults COPD one daily inhalation
mometasone furoate (Asmanex) adults and ages 12+ asthma 220 mcg once daily in the evenings 440 mcg per day
ages 4–11 asthma 110 mcg once daily in the evenings 110 mcg per day
mometasone/formoterol (Dulera) adults and ages 12+ asthma two inhalations twice daily of 100/5 mcg or 200/5 mcg

Most inhaled steroids have a beneficial effect for 12 hours. The exceptions are Arnuity Ellipta, Asmanex, and Trelegy Ellipa, which last for 24 hours.

Share on PinterestThe most common side effects from inhaled steroids are infections in the sinuses, airways, or mouth.

In general, inhaled steroids are safer and people tolerate them better than oral steroids. The most common adverse events are infections in the sinuses, airways, or mouth.

Also, inhaled steroids may raise the overall risk of infection. Anyone using this type of medication should avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles. If exposed, they should seek medical advice immediately.

Although it is uncommon, people with COPD who use inhaled steroids have a higher risk of pneumonia. It is important to consider this risk in proportion to the risk of COPD symptoms.

Also, inhaled steroids may interfere with a child’s growth, but the extent of growth suppression may vary among drugs, devices, dosages, and the duration of use.

An inhaled steroid may reduce bone density, putting a person at risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Healthcare providers should screen adults for risk factors, run regular bone density tests, and request routine follow-ups.

People using inhaled steroids should also have regular eye exams to identify possible adverse effects, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and blurred vision.

To reduce the likelihood of adverse effects, healthcare providers should screen for possible drug interactions.

Rarely, inhaled steroids can cause hives, swelling, and a rash that requires immediate medical attention.

Other side effects can include:

  • increased blood glucose levels
  • increased blood pressure
  • increased bruising
  • suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis

Inhaled steroids are a crucial treatment for asthma and COPD. They deliver targeted doses of drugs to the airways and ensure that only small amounts reach the rest of the body. This can help control the symptoms of asthma or COPD while causing few adverse effects.

Given the variety of inhaled steroids available, doctors and people receiving treatment should work together to decide upon the right medication and device.

Each situation will be unique. Healthcare professionals should provide continued coaching and assessments to improve inhaled steroid effectiveness and minimize the risk of adverse effects.

How long does an inhaled steroid take to work?

Inhaled steroids can start working in 24 hours. But you might not notice a change • for 1 or 2 weeks. Even if you do not have any asthma symptoms you should use your inhaled steroid every day. Inhaled steroids can make your voice hoarse or your throat irritated and cause • coughing.

Are inhaled corticosteroids fast acting?

Long-acting drugs such as inhaled corticosteroids are different than quick- relief inhalers. Inhaled corticosteroids treat inflammation in the airways but are only effective over time. Inhaled corticosteroids do not deliver quick relief to someone experiencing an asthma attack.

How effective are inhaled corticosteroids?

Inhaled corticosteroids not only make the airways less sensitive to spasmogens, but they also limit the maximal airway narrowing in response to spasmogens (152). Inhaled corticosteroids are very effective in controlling symptoms in asthmatic patients of all ages and disease severity (1, 153).

How long does it take for inhalation drugs to work?

Several breaths of solvents will produce a high within a few minutes of use. This high may last up to 45 minutes if no more breaths are taken. Some people continue to take additional breaths to sustain the effects for several hours.