Corticosteroids for Cystic Fibrosis

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have:

• Hives.

Common side effects of oral corticosteroids include:

• Increased appetite.
• Feeling nervous or restless.

Side effects of inhaled corticosteroids are uncommon at the usual dose. Side effects (many of which occur only with high doses) may include:

• Sore mouth, sore throat, or hoarseness.
• Cough and spasms of the large airways (bronchi).
• Fungus infection in the mouth (Reference thrush Opens New Window).
• Temporary growth delay in children.
• Decreased bone thickness in adults.
• Clouding of the lens of the eye (Reference cataract Opens New Window).
• High blood pressure in the eye or fluid buildup in the eye (Reference glaucoma Opens New Window). This may occur with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids used over a long period of time.

Using a Reference spacer Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window with a metered-dose Reference inhaler Opens New Window can help you avoid the side effects of inhaled steroids. After using an inhaler, it is also important to rinse your mouth out with water and then to spit out the water. Swallowing the water will increase the chance that the medicine will get into your bloodstream, which may increase the side effects of the medicine.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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