The Facts

• The American Lung Association (ALA) classifies prednisone (corticosteroid) as the most potent anti-inflammatory used to decrease inflammation in the lungs.
  
  

Treatment

• The ALA says two types of medicines are used to treat severe asthma. Bronchodilators help stop asthma attacks after they have started and can help prevent attacks. Anti-inflammatories are most effective for people with severe asthma; they help control airway inflammation and prevent asthma attacks.
  
  

Significance

• Alternative anti-inflammatory medicines available for people with severe asthma are cromolyn and nedocromil.
  
  

Effects

• For people with severe asthma, controlling the symptoms before they become an attack is mportant. Anti-inflammatory drugs have fewer long-term side effects than prednisone.
  
  

Warning

• Severe asthma, if not properly treated, can be fatal.