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Inhaled steroids — too much of a good thing?

John W Wilson and Colin F Robertson
Med J Aust 2002; 177 (6): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04784.x
Published online: 16 September 2002

Over the past 20 years, inhaled corticosteroids have become established as cornerstone therapy in the treatment of obstructive pulmonary disorders, ranging from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to cystic fibrosis.


  • 1 Department of Respiratory Medicine and Monash Medical School, The Alfred, Prahran, VIC.
  • 2 Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC.



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  • 7. Todd GR, Acerini CL, Buck JJ, et al. Acute adrenal crisis in asthmatics treated with high-dose fluticasone propionate. Eur Respir J 2002; 19: 1207-1209.
  • 8. Drake AJ, Howells RJ, Shield JP, et al. Symptomatic adrenal insufficiency presenting with hypoglycaemia in children with asthma receiving high dose inhaled fluticasone propionate. BMJ 2002; 324: 1081-1082.
  • 9. Todd GR, Acerini CL, Ross-Russell R, et al. National survey (UK) of adrenal crisis due to inhaled corticosteroids. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 165: A767.
  • 10. Holt S, Suder A, Weatherall M, et al. Dose-response relation of inhaled fluticasone propionate in adolescents and adults with asthma: meta-analysis. BMJ 2001; 323: 253-256.

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