Q: My daughter, now 8 years old, has been treated for repeated cough and chest congestion with asthalin and budecort rotocaps for the last one and a half years. Dosage: asthalin- 200 MCG X 3 daily. Budecort - 100 MCG X 3 daily. Her condition has improved but I would like to know how safe is the prolonged use of steroids? Will it have any side effects? How long can I keep treating her with these medicines?

A:If she has had repeated episodes of wheezing and has settled down after using regular inhaler prophylaxis please continue using both the inhalers regularly. The steroid inhaler can be used even twice a day, along with Asthalin. Inhaled steroids are very low dose preparations and even with long term use have been shown to be very safe. Please do not discontinue regular use until advised by your doctor.