Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve G  Seems a bit of a high dose, and for a long period. Is it definitely for asthma? Dose tapering is not normally needed if the patient is on inhaled steroids, as inhaled steroids aren't normally absorbed enough to supress cortisol secretion. However high doses of Flixotide, for example (i.e 2mg/day), may affect endogenous cortisol secretion. |
Better to have a chat to the patient to get further information and then make a phone call to make sure the dose/duration it is intentional.
High dose treatment of corticosteriods has been used for other diseases, but it generally causes more problems that it cures.
As Steve has commented it looks to high and too long for Asthma.
If the treatment is for a long period of time the patient will be well on their way to developing cushings syndrome. Their immune system will be suppressed so they could pick up infections easily, anything going around the community, such as chickenpox, and they would experience delayed wound healing. Make sure that they don't get into the repeat prescription cycle or the long term effects would not be pleasant.