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Oral corticosteroid course — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyRespiratory TherapeuticsOral corticosteroid courseGPhC CRA

A patient is supplied prednisolone 30 mg once daily for five days for an asthma exacerbation. They ask whether they need a reducing course afterwards. They have not taken steroids recently. What would you advise the patient?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — A reducing course is usually unnecessary for this short course

Short courses of oral prednisolone for asthma exacerbations usually do not require tapering if the patient has not had prolonged recent steroid exposure. Morning dosing can reduce insomnia. The full prescribed short course should be completed unless advised otherwise. Ibuprofen is not gastroprotection and may increase adverse effects.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS