Is there need for tapering corticosteroids prescribed for asthma attack?!

Short courses of oral corticosteroids (less than 4 weeks) prescribed for an asthma attack can be stopped abruptly without tapering. Gradual withdrawal should be considered only if the patient has received more than 40 mg prednisolone daily (or equivalent) for more than 1 week, has been given repeated evening doses, has received more than 4 weeks of corticosteroid treatment, or has recently received repeated courses, especially if taken for longer than 4 weeks. For standard durations of treatment for asthma exacerbations, dose tapering is not needed. Patients should not stop inhaled corticosteroids while taking oral prednisolone. Review the patient within 2 working days after an acute exacerbation.

This approach reduces the risk of adrenal insufficiency and relapse while avoiding unnecessary prolonged corticosteroid exposure.

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