TABLE 4. Inhaled Corticosteroids for Use in Pediatric Asthma

Drug	FDA-Approved Age	Initial (Low) Dose (micrograms)^a	Adverse Effects
Beclomethasone dipropionate HFA	≥ 5 years	≥ 12 years: 100-200 6-11 years: 50-100 ≤ 5 years: 100	Headache, pharyngitis, oral symptoms, sinusitis
Budesonide inhalation powder + spacer	≥ 1 year	≥ 12 years: 200-400 6-11 years: 100-200 ≤ 5 years: 200	Nasopharyngitis, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, allergic rhinitis, viral upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, viral gastroenteritis, otitis media, oral candidiasis
Budesonide (nebulized)	≥ 1 year	≥ 12 years: NS 6-11 years: 250-500 ≤ 5 years: 500	Respiratory infection, rhinitis, cough, otitis media, viral infection, moniliasis, gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, ear infection, epistaxis, conjunctivitis, rash
Ciclesonide inhalation aerosol	≥ 12 years	≥ 12 years: 80-160 6-11 years: 80 ≤ 5 years: 160	Headache, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, arthralgia, nasal congestion, pain in extremities, back pain
Flunisolide inhalation aerosol	≥ 6 years	≥ 12 years: 320 6-11 years: 160	Pharyngitis, rhinitis, headache, sinusitis, increased cough
Fluticasone propionate HFA	≥ 4 years	≥ 12 years: 100-250 6-11 years: 100-200 ≤ 5 years: 100	Upper respiratory tract infection/inflammation, throat irritation, sinusitis, dysphonia, candidiasis, cough, bronchitis, headache
Mometasone furoate inhalation powder	≥ 4 years	≥ 12 years: 110-220 6-11 years: 110 ≤ 5 years: NS	Headache, allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, oral candidiasis, dysmenorrhea, musculoskeletal pain, back pain, dyspepsia
Triamcinolone acetonide inhalation aerosol	≥ 6 years	≥ 12 years: 400-1,000 6-11 years: 400-800 ≤ 5 years: NS	Sinusitis, pharyngitis, headache, flu syndrome, back pain