Which Spray to Use

There are two schools of thought about management of low-grade, ongoing asthma. One school says that cortisonelike sprays should be the mainstay of management; the other recommends bronchodilator sprays. The final decision should depend on how you, as the patient, respond to each method. At the suggestion of your doctor, try either one. If not completely relieved, if asthma continues despite treatment, try the other route.

Prednisolone Dosage for Average-Sized Adult
Day Dose

First day 60 mg
Day 2 50 mg
Day 3 40 mg
Day 4 30 mg
Day 5 20 mg
Day 6 10 mg
Day 7 5 mg
Day 8 None
Day 9 5mg
Day 10 None

In either case, do not begin treatment with steroids without consulting your doctor. An exception to this is when the asthma recurs late at night, as it so often does. If you have a steroid medicine at home, it is permissible to take a starting dose and call the doctor in the morning. You may want to ask your doctor to prescribe extra steroid tablets to be used in time of emergency. This will make life easier for both you and your doctor.