Steroids are regarded as quite effective in the treatment of asthma. But these are responsible for causing a number of nasty side effects. Although these are quite effective and life-saving medicines, but these come with a lot of side effects. The side- effects can be of types- those caused due to their short term use while other caused due to their long term use.

Most of the people consume steroids only for a few days. As such they experience temporary side effects. These include increase in appetite, insomnia, changes in mood and behavior, flushing of the face, and short-term weight gain due to increase in the water retention. Since these are temporary side effects, these vanish once the steroids are stopped.

However, if the steroids are taken for longer periods of time or even multiple occasions, then there might be serious side effects. These side effects can be minimized if taken on alternate days rather than daily. Some of the side effects are reversible while some others are permanent. These include: Glaucoma, Cataracts, high-blood pressure, heart disease, Diabetes mellitus, Obesity, Acid reflux, Osteoporosis, Myopathy, increase in certain type of infections and Cushing syndrome.