Inhaled corticosteroids as first-line therapy for asthma - Why they work-and what the guidelines and evidence suggest

Despite a plethora of clinical guidelines and evidence outlining the effica cy of inhaled corticosteroids, these medications continue to be underused i n the treatment of asthma, This article reviews the justification for presc ribing inhaled steroids as first-line therapy, discusses indications for th eir use, and compares potencies of the:various products now available. In a ddition, the authors address the adverse effects commonly associated with t hese agents and provide evidence supporting early intervention with inhaled steroids in the treatment of persistent asthma.