title: Inhaled corticosteroids as first-line therapy for asthma. Why they work--and what the guidelines and evidence suggest.
abstract: Despite a plethora of clinical guidelines and evidence outlining the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids, these medications continue to be underused in the treatment of asthma. This article reviews the justification for prescribing inhaled steroids as first-line therapy, discusses indications for their use, and compares potencies of the various products now available. In addition, the authors address the adverse effects commonly associated with these agents and provide evidence supporting early intervention with inhaled steroids in the treatment of persistent asthma.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-8859, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laurie
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids