Glucocorticosteroids

In treating acute exacerbations, both oral and parenteral glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) are equally effective. Unless your patient is moribund, prednisone will work just as quickly and as well as equivalent parenteral doses of hydrocortisone or methylpred-nisolone.

A central concept in the management of asthma is that a specific inflammatory response is present in the airway wall and the functional and structural changes in the airway that give rise to symptoms are considered secondary to this inflammation. This inflammatory response is usually glucocorticosteroid sensitive, regardless of the origin of the asthma.