Inhaled corticosteroids

These anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective and commonly used long-term control medications for asthma. They reduce swelling and tightening in your airways. You may need to use these medications for several months before you get their maximum benefit.

Inhaled corticosteroids include:

• Fluticasone (Flovent HFA, Arnuity Ellipta, others)
• Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)
• Mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler)
• Beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler)
• Ciclesonide (Alvesco)

Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids helps keep asthma attacks and other problems linked to poorly controlled asthma in check. In children, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids can delay growth slightly, but the benefits of using these medications to maintain good asthma control generally outweigh the risks.

Inhaled corticosteroids don't generally cause serious side effects. When side effects occur, they can include mouth and throat irritation and oral yeast infections. If you're using a metered dose inhaler, use a spacer and rinse your mouth with water after each use to reduce the amount of drug remaining in your mouth.