Ciclesonide in step-up strategy of asthma treatment. Recommendations of the experts of Polish Society of Allergology

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract that significantly worsens the quality of life, the patient’s efficiency and is a burden to the health care system. In the long term, the goals of asthma treatment are to reduce the risk of exacerbations, reduce the number of unscheduled medical appointments and hospitalizations, the use of systemic steroids, and the reduction of respiratory parameters loss. According to the results of clinical trials, the first step in the prevention of severe asthma exacerbations should be the optimal anti-inflammatory treatment with the use of a safe inhaled glucocorticosteroid. Sometimes an increase of the dose of inhaled corticosteroids is required periodically to prevent or treat exacerbations. Oral corticosteroids have many side effects, increase treatment costs and shorten the life of patients with asthma, so we are trying to replace them with topical medications. The document presents the pharmacological profile, clinical efficacy and treatment regimens in the exacerbation of asthma with the use of ciclesonide, which is a safe drug even in high doses and has a quick and strong anti-inflammatory effect, allows to improve the clinical condition and reduce the need for systemic steroid treatment.