Dangerous Amounts of Steroids Allegedly Given to Thousands of Asthma Patients
In this undated image, an asthma inhaler is seen as dispensing a dose of the drug.
Researchers recently warned that more than 25 percent of asthma patients had been prescribed possibly hazardous amounts of steroid tablets, putting them at a higher risk of severe side effects.
Scientists, led by Professor John Upham from the University of Queensland, investigated data from the BPS or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to see how frequent asthmatic Australians were taking repeated courses of steroid tablets.
According to Professor Upham, the project studied over 120,000 cases where the doctor gave a prescription for steroid tablets from 2014 to 2018.
As a result, researchers found that over 25 percent of the said patients were more likely to develop a chronic condition, explained Upham.
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Side Effects of Repeated or Long-Term Use of Steroid Tablets
The professor also said that short courses of steroid tablets could be an effective "treatment for asthma attacks in the short term." However, it is becoming clear that repeated and more prolonged use may lead to substantial long-term side effects such as osteoporosis, cataracts, and diabetes.
Reports indicate that roughly 2.5 million Australians suffer from asthma, with the sickness affecting more women compared to men.
Upham explained that the best way to prevent asthma attacks was through regular use of "preventer inhalers."
Unfortunately, he added, their research found, 50 percent of patients with asthma provided with repeated scripts for steroid tablets were not using inhalers as frequently as they needed.
Recommending Regular Use of Preventer Inhalers
With such findings, Upham and his research team suggested that "better approaches are needed for the patients to be educated, and support them.
More so, the professor said, a better approach would help encourage patients with asthma to use preventer inhalers regularly.
According to the expert, this is the best approach to prevent or minimize the necessity for steroid tablets, as well as the side effects they can cause. This research came out in the Medical Journal of Australia.
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Steroid Tablets and Inhaler Preventer
Medical experts describe the steroids used for asthma treatment as drugs, also known as "corticosteroids." These are copies of hormones the body naturally produces.
Essentially, steroids are helping ease asthma by relaxing or soothing airways and preventing inflammation. As mentioned, this helps reduce symptoms of asthma-like coughing and breathlessness.
Steroids will also help one prevent his lungs from reacting to triggers. According to Asthma UK's in-house GP, Dr. Andy Whittamore, one is more likely to avoid high steroid dosages if he takes his preventer inhaler every day, as prescribed.
Typically, a doctor prescribes steroids for asthma if the patient needs extra help with symptoms. The doctor is supposed to prescribe the lowest steroid required dose for the treatment of asthma symptoms.
Furthermore, most patients with asthma are prescribed an inhaler preventer for everyday use. As such, the treatment solution stops building up inflammation in the airways and reduces the risk of symptoms.
Consequently, if someone has just been given a reliever inhaler and is using it at least three times a week, they are advised to see their doctor.
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Sep 14, 2020 08:40 AM EDT
