If your child has
asthma or allergic rhinitis (hay fever), your pediatrician may prescribe a corticosteroid. These medicines reduce inflammation in the body.
Corticosteroids may be called steroids. However, they are a different type of steroid than anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids may be used illegally by some athletes and are known to have harmful side effects.
Here's what to know about corticosteroid medicines prescribed for children.
Types of corticosteroid medicines: benefits & side effects
In general, corticosteroids are safe and work well if the medicine is taken as recommended. As with all medicines, though, there are possible side effects. Your child's doctor will only prescribe what is best for your child's condition.
There are far fewer side effects with using inhaled or intranasal corticosteroids than with systemic corticosteroids that are taken by mouth or a shot. That's because the amount of medicine given in a systemic corticosteroid can be 10 to 100 times more.
Systemic corticosteroids
Systemic corticosteroid medicine may be prescribed for a short period if your child has a bad asthma attack. In some cases, these medicines can save lives.
Medication form: Your child may take a pill, tablet or liquid by mouth. Medicine may also be given by a shot or through the vein (IV).
Side effects with short-term use: Side effects may include behavior change, increased appetite, acne, thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth), stomach upset or trouble sleeping. These all go away when the medicine is stopped.
Side effects if medicine is used often or for 2 weeks or longer: Side effects may include cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye), weight gain, worsening of diabetes, bone thinning, slowing of growth, reduced ability to fight off infections, stomach ulcers and high blood pressure.
Inhaled corticosteroids
Inhaled corticosteroid medicines may prevent or control asthma symptoms. These work by easing inflammation inside the bronchial tubes of the lungs.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective long-term medicine for the control and prevention of asthma flares. They can reduce asthma symptoms, and your child may not need to take as many other medicines. Inhaled corticosteroids also can improve sleep and activity level and prevent asthma attacks.
Medication form: Inhaled corticosteroid medicine is breathed in through an inhaler.
Side effects: There are few side effects with inhaled corticosteroid medicine. They may include a yeast infection in the mouth or hoarseness. The risk can be reduced using a
spacer or holding chamber, rinsing the mouth after use, or using the lowest dose needed.
Intranasal corticosteroids
Intranasal corticosteroid medicine may be given to prevent or control a runny nose and congestion from allergies. These medicines work very well to treat allergy symptoms. They may also reduce the number of other allergy medicines your child would otherwise need to take.
Medication form: Instranasal corticosteroid medicine is sprayed into the nose.
Side effects: Side effects are not common with corticosteroid nasal sprays. They may include irritation in the nose or feeling that something is "running down the throat" when the nose spray is used. Occasionally, a child can have nosebleeds from using the spray. If this occurs, stopping the nose spray for a few days often allows the child to be able to restart the medicine and continue using it.
Will corticosteroids stunt my child's growth?
Studies have shown that inhaled corticosteroids for asthma may slow down growth in some children during the first year of treatment, but this is only temporary. These children ended up at their normal expected heights as adults.
To reduce the risk of any side effects of corticosteroids, your pediatrician will prescribe the lowest dose needed to control the symptoms. Your child's height will also be measured regularly during office visits.
Remember
Corticosteroids are the most powerful medicines available to reduce your child's asthma and allergy symptoms. They can greatly improve the overall quality of your child's life. Experts agree that the benefits of corticosteroids, when used correctly, are greater than the possible risks. Your child's doctor will make sure that they are given as safely as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about these medicines, don't hesitate to talk with your child's pediatrician.