Are Steroid Inhalers for Asthma Safe to Use?

Have you been diagnosed with asthma? If so, your doctor may have prescribed a steroid based asthma inhaler to help control your symptoms. These inhalers have revolutionized the treatment of asthma and are considered to be the most effective way to reduce the frequency and severity of asthmatic symptoms. Why? Steroid asthma inhalers have strong anti-inflammatory properties which help to decrease inflammation in the airways that can lead to an asthma attack. When some people hear the word “steroid”, they become frightened and concerned about the potential risks of using this type of medication. Is there cause for concern? What are the side effects of steroid inhalers for asthma?

When a steroid inhaler is used, most of the steroid component enters the airways where it’s needed, with very little making its way into the bloodstream where it could cause problems. While oral steroids can cause serious side effects when used long term, this is not likely to be a problem with inhalers since so little systemic absorption occurs. If you’re forced to use very large doses of a steroid based inhaler for long periods of time, it could suppress the body’s natural steroid production, giving rise to elevated blood sugars, weakening of the bones, and even psychiatric problems, but these aren’t usually seen at the doses commonly prescribed for asthma. Here are some of the common side effects of steroid inhalers.

An Increased Risk of Oral Thrush

Because of their immune suppressing effects, steroids can increase the risk of certain types of infections. Because steroid inhalers are sprayed into the nasal passages and little is absorbed into the bloodstream, the effect is only local and usually involves overgrowth of yeast in the mouth resulting in oral thrush. This can often be prevented by rinsing the mouth thoroughly with water after using an inhaler. Sometimes an anti-fungal mouthwash is needed to kill the yeast, should they develop. If you develop a white spots on the tongue that resemble cottage cheese, it could be oral thrush related to your asthma inhaler.

Voice Changes

In some cases, use of steroid inhalers can cause laryngitis or changes in the voice. This occurs due to steroid induced weakening of the muscles of the larynx. In rare cases, the voice can be completely lost. Some users also experience a sensation of a lump in the throat or throat pain. These symptoms usually resolve when the steroid inhaler is discontinued.

The bottom line? Use of a steroid inhaler may be important for adequate control of asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about potential steroid inhaler side effects.