If you need to use your reliever inhaler more than once or twice a day it means that your asthma is not under control. If this is the case your doctor will probably give you a preventer treatment to help to ease your symptoms. Preventer medication usually contains a small dose of corticosteroid - a substance that is produced naturally in the body. This helps to control the inflammation in your airways. Corticosteroids are very different to the anabolic steroids abused by athletes and body builders to improve their performance.
Most people take their preventer treatment through an inhaler.
But if your asthma gets really bad your doctor might give you some steroid tablets for a few days to help to get your asthma under control. The tablets contain a much larger dose of steroid than your regular inhaler but are a safe and effective way to reduce your symptoms quickly. You cannot overdose on your reliever inhaler. If you take a large dose your pulse rate may increase and your hands may feel a little shaky. This is only a temporary effect and will wear off within a few minutes.