Inhaled beta adrenergic agonists and inhaled steroids in the treatment of asthma.

In summary, inhaled steroids are the treatment to be preferred for patients requiring maintenance therapy with steroids, since they cause a dramatic fall in sensitivity and reactivity of bronchial response, improve lung function to normal, reduce the diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow rates, and markedly reduce symptoms. Nevertheless they must be given at adequate dosage for a long time, associated with inhaled beta-agonists, and in more severe asthma with short courses of oral steroids.