Oral steroids reduce swelling, inflammation, and mucus production in the airways. They help control and prevent symptoms of asthma. Oral steroids DO speed recovery from a moderate to severe asthma episode and reduce the chance of a relapse. There are other medicines available which quickly open airways and are used for acute asthma attacks. Oral steroids can be taken as pills or syrup.
Steroid medicine has a bitter taste.
Swallow the pills quickly and do not hold them in your mouth. The syrup also has a bitter taste and is best swallowed quickly. After swallowing, quickly take a drink of another liquid to rinse your mouth. It is best not to take this medicine on an empty stomach. There is no usual dose of steroids.