title: Is it safe to use inhaled corticosteroids in pregnancy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A healthy woman with mild to moderate asthma came to my clinic today after learning that she was pregnant. She inquired about continuing her inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) medication and whether there would be any risks to her unborn child if she were to do so. What would you advise?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the published evidence, ICSs should be continued throughout pregnancy at low to moderate doses sufficient to control asthma symptoms and prevent exacerbations. However, caution must be taken with doses greater than 1000 µg/d (chlorofluorocarbon beclomethasone equivalent), although whether such doses cause adverse effects is currently still questionable. Patient education on proper ICS administration and adherence, including during the first trimester, must be ongoing. Well controlled asthma will reduce the need for higher ICS doses and possible exposure to systemic corticosteroids, and might decrease the risk of adverse pregnancy or perinatal outcomes.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smy
authors.forename: Alvin C H
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Pina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bozzo
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents