1800 278 462
Oral steroids can be a life-saving treatment in an emergency, but they can also cause serious health problems, especially when used for a long time. Many people with severe asthma need to take oral steroids regularly, but there’s good news – oral steroids are no longer required to get access to severe asthma treatments called biologics. This is something Asthma Australia have been advocating for to ensure easier and faster access to important medicines.
Here’s what this change means for people with severe asthma.
Book a call with an asthma educator
What is severe asthma?
Severe asthma is different from regular asthma. It doesn’t improve even with high doses of inhalers that help most other people with asthma. Up to 10% of people with asthma have severe asthma. If you have severe asthma, you might have asthma symptoms often and may even need emergency or hospital care for asthma attacks. Severe asthma can affect your health, your mood and even your work. In Australia, 73% of people with severe asthma say it makes it harder to do their jobs, and 27% have had to miss work because of their asthma.
Are there other options besides oral steroids?
For many years, oral steroids were the main way to treat severe asthma. But there are risks with using oral steroids, especially when using them often. They can lead to heart and kidney problems, diabetes, weight gain, broken bones, depression and other health problems. Studies show that even small doses of oral steroids can sometimes cause health issues. But it is important to continue using them if your doctor advises you to. Many people with severe asthma want to use fewer oral steroids but feel they need them to keep their asthma under control.
What has changed?
New treatments, called biologics or monoclonal antibodies, are now available for some people with severe asthma. Biologics are used to help reduce asthma symptoms and asthma attacks, and even reduce the need for oral steroids. Until recently, people needed to have taken oral steroids for at least six weeks in the past year to be able to get biologics covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). After requests from Asthma Australia and other groups, the government changed this rule. Now, all PBS-covered biologics for severe asthma are available without needing prior oral steroid treatment.
This is a big change because it allows people with severe asthma to access special treatments without having to have taken oral steroids.
What about oral steroids for other types of asthma?
Oral steroids can be very helpful during serious asthma flare-ups and can save lives for some people with asthma. However, they are sometimes overused, even by people with milder asthma. At Asthma Australia, we are working to make sure oral steroids are used only when absolutely needed and to raise awareness about other treatments.
Want to learn more?
If you’re having trouble managing your asthma symptoms or are using oral steroids or a reliever inhaler often, consider talking to your doctor. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist who can help find out if biologics or other treatments might be better for you. You can also talk to an Asthma Educator by calling 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) or booking a call at a time that suits you. Find out how here.