Prednisone for Asthma: Benefits, Uses & What to Expect

Asthma is a disease characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes. A primary treatment for asthma is reducing inflammation through medications such as prednisone, thereby increasing oxygen flow. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can be administered orally, intravenously or intramuscularly.

Reduced Hospitalization

• A 2007 study published in the Journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society indicates that hospitalization was reduced by 60 percent when oral corticosteroids were administered to a patient within an hour of arriving at the emergency room for an acute asthma exacerbation.

Reduced Relapse

• The same study showed the risk of relapse during the subsequent week of an acute relapse was reduced by 65 percent.

Improved Pulminary Function

• Prednisone can improve pulmonary function in patients who are responsive to oral corticosteroids, as measured by forced expiratory volume.

Reduced Inflammation

• Prednisone reduces inflammation of the airways, making it easier to move oxygen in and out of the lungs.

Direct acting

• Prednisone is a systemic steroid, which means that it goes directly to the bloodstream and can be helpful to control acute asthma exacerbations.