The agency also is recommending using the lowest effective dose of these drugs and routine monitoring patients' growth rates. The FDA, however, also is advising parents of asthmatic children not to stop using prescribed corticosteroids without first speaking to their child's doctor. Five national organizations of physicians, including medical specialists who treat asthma, also are urging parents to continue with prescribed treatments, and to discuss any concerns with their child's physician. The new product labeling does not suggest that the products are unsafe or that their use should be limited. In fact, the real risk to health would be in stopping prescribed therapy without consulting the child's physician.
Inhaled corticosteroids are frequently the drug of choice in the treatment of asthma.
Recent controlled clinical studies suggest that inhaled corticosteroids may cause a small reduction in the rate of growth in pediatric patients. The reduction may be related to dose and how long the child takes the drug. Consequently, it is recommended that physicians use the lowest effective dose of these drugs, and that they routinely monitor their patients' growth rates. The long-term effect of any reduction in growth rate on final adult height is unknown. Physicians and pharmaceutical manufacturers will continue to monitor these drugs to learn more about long-term effects.