ABSTRACT
Adrenocorticosteroids (generally simply termed ‘steroids’) inhibit the inflammatory process by mechanisms which are poorly understood. It is possible that they may include interference with prostanoid formation and the inhibition of the cellular signaling between cells involved in the immune response. They prevent not only the early inflammatory phenomena such as oedema and increased blood flow, but also later effects such as phagocyte activity and capillary proliferation. The drugs used, e.g. beclomethasone dipropionate, betamethasone and budesonide, exert a topical effect in the lungs but are generally inactivated when swallowed. The doses required are low (400-800 µg daily), resulting in low plasma concentrations thereby minimizing systemic side effects. Modern treatment of asthma in childhood favours the use of small doses of steroid to keep inflammatory processes suppressed.
