Common side effects include a sore throat, nasal congestion and irritation, coughing, ear infection, body aches, nausea, and oral thrush (a mild fungal mouth infection). Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after every dose to prevent thrush and throat irritation.

Seek medical care immediately if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat) or sudden severe breathing trouble right after taking a dose.

Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed one. Never take double doses.

A single extra dose is not likely to cause harm. However, long-term overuse can cause steroid side effects like extreme fatigue, high blood pressure, or weakened bones. Seek medical care if you suspect an overdose.

Asthma treatments fall into two main groups:

• Quick-relief rescue inhalers, like albuterol (Ventolin), to quickly open airways during a sudden flare-up
• Daily controller medications, like budesonide (Pulmicort), which are taken daily to prevent symptoms

Providers can also prescribe stronger oral or injectable medications like Prednisone (Deltasone) or Methylprednisolone (Medrol) for short periods to treat severe asthma flares.