Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 11/30/2011

Question
this question is regarding my mom... we live in a small town and we dont have any pet...
actually my mom undergone through an operation during her childhood of her nose in which docter cuts her increased nose bone.... but they by mistake cuts more than what was required... soon after her marriage she evolved respiratory problem durig seasonal change mainly during winter season...... earlier she use AEROCOT inhaler for many years but its stops giving the desired effect after few years..... after that docters recommended her budamate200 inhaler instead of that ... now its also not giving her much relief so she now she use nebulizer with budate forte 2ml .... 1ml twice a day..... So I want to ask u that what should I do to prevent her condition from getting worse???? And what are the long term and short term  sideeffects of using budate forte ???

Answer
Hello Sajan,

Has she also been presecribed a nasal spray?

The primary, long-term concerns of the steroid inhalers are: 1)increased risk of osteoporosis, 2) cataracts, 3) glaucoma, 4) adrenal hormone suppression of the bodies own production. These are dose related, the higher the dosage, the greater the risk. If you were to look up the side effects of these meds, you'd see a long list, but therapy is always a balance of positive outcomes and risk of side effects. In the case of asthma, if left poorly treated, an uncontrolled flare-up can be life threatening. The threapy goal is to maintain great control of the inflammation, and reduce risk of an attack, all while using just what the patient needs to maintain control, but not excessive dosing. Therapy, in patients whose illness fluctuates like your moms, should be increased and lowered based on the seasons she is affected. At good times of the year, she may only need to carry her salbuterol, where during the winter, she may be on 2-3 or even four meds.

As far as improving her statis, send me a list of all the meds she is on so I can better evaluate the therapy.

Sincerely,

Marc