Thousands of patients with asthma are being exposed to potentially toxic levels of oral corticosteroids, often because of inadequate use of inhaled controller medication, an Australia-first study suggests.

Analysis of PBS data shows more than one-quarter of adults and adolescents using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are reaching the concerning level of lifetime exposure of 1000mg prednisolone-equivalent.

The findings, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, suggest GPs should be more cautious about the repeated use of oral corticosteroids (OCS) and ensure patients have adequate inhaler technique and up-to-date treatment plans, the researchers say.

“The need for frequent short courses or long-term OCS is neither benign nor acceptable,” they wrote.