If you are prescribed oral steroid tablets these will be a higher dose than the inhaled form. For this reason they are prescribed in short courses rather than continually. If you are prescribed a course of oral steroids you should complete the course or seek advice from your doctor or asthma nurse if you have […]
Short courses of oral prednisolone tablets will be used to treat flare ups (exacerbations) of COPD along with antibiotics if needed, usually for 7 to 14 days. The prescribed dose of tablets are taken preferably in the morning, after breakfast. Side effects include fluid retention, indigestion, increased appetite and sleeplessness. As part of a self […]
In an acute episode of asthma you will be prescribed prednisolone tablets. This is usually taken once daily in the morning for 5 days. Occasionally people may be advised to take a very low dose for a longer period of time under consultant supervision.
If your child is co-operative and they can swallow tablets, give the daily dose as soon as they wake up in the morning. If they can’t swallow tablets, doctors usually prescribe pink dissolving tablets. Try to dissolve all the tablets in a small amount of lukewarm water as that helps them to dissolve completely. No […]
If your doctor or nurse gives you a course of oral steroids for your child, you should give the first dose immediately. Don’t delay the dose and don’t split it up over the day. Oral steroids (prednisolone) act in the same way as the brown preventer inhaler – they damp down the inflammation in your […]
When seen by the doctor or nurse, ensure your child has their oxygen level checked. They also need to have the air entry to their lungs checked with a stethoscope as part of the review. They are highly likely to need a course of oral steroids (prednisolone) to settle down the inflammations. Important This cannot […]
Oral steroids and injections are usually given as: Prednisolone tablets. Methylprednisolone. (Medrol®) Triamcinolone (Kenalog®) injections. Usually injections are used if tablet form does not give sufficient relief or when some people have side effects. Can be given every 4-6 weeks. What do they do? Reduce the inflammation in the lining of the lungs. This reduces […]
There is a standard method of treating an acute asthma attack. It consists of high dose reliever medication and steroid tablets. The usual reliever drug used is Salbutamol. It is delivered by a spacer device one puff at a time up to 10 times. Salbutamol may be given by nebuliser, there is a standard dose vial […]
There are different types of commonly used treatments for difficult to manage asthma: Monoclonal antibodies (e.g. Omalizumab which is also known by the name Xolair®). Oral steroids or injection. Steroid sparing agents (e.g. Methotrexate, ciclosporin, gold). Antifungal medicines. Terbutaline infusion (A fast acting reliever) Some medicines are preventative and others are used to treat an […]
Inhaled medicines are used to help treat symptoms of asthma. Inhalers come in all different styles, shapes and sizes. They may be aerosol inhalers or single dose capsules loaded into an inhaler device. See A practical guide to inhalers for more information. Some people when using inhalers may be advised to use a spacer device. This […]
