Abstract
GC therapy is a valuable treatment modality in the management of both acute and chronic of asthma. GCs were first used in the treatment of asthma shortly after cortisone was first synthesized and following reports that cortisone was effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Early studies evaluating the effect of cortisone on asthma were encouraging, with significant improvements in asthma symptoms and pulmonary function. Much of the early enthusiasm for systemic GC use was dampened with the realization that chronic use of this medication resulted in multiple adverse effects. The subsequent development of effective inhaled GC preparations has revolutionized asthma care. By virtue of their high topical to systemic potency, inhaled GC therapy has proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of asthma. This chapter will provide a broad overview of the structure, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and adverse effects associated with systemic and inhaled GC therapy in asthma.
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Spahn, J.D., Kamada, A.K., Szefler, S.J. (1997). Glucocorticoid Therapy in Asthma. In: Lieberman, P., Anderson, J.A. (eds) Allergic Diseases. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2591-9_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2591-9_21
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
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