Adverse Drug Reactions Associated with Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Community-Based Case Study

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to their proven efficacy in controlling airway inflammation. Despite their therapeutic benefits, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to ICS use in community settings are underreported. This observational study, conducted among 250 patients in the Thiruvalla, Mallappally, and Kozhencherry taluks of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, aimed to identify and assess the spectrum of ADRs associated with ICS use. Among the study population, 144 patients (57.6%) experienced at least one ADR, while 106 (42.4%) did not report any adverse effects. The most commonly used ICS was budesonide. The most frequent ADRs included oropharyngeal issues (89.58%), weight gain (23.2%), elevated blood sugar levels (85.42%), infections (41.6%), and ocular changes (17.3%). This study emphasizes the need for close monitoring of ICS therapy, especially in long-term users, and calls attention to the potential for systemic effects even with inhaled formulations.