TY - JOUR T1 - High-dose inhaled corticosteroid use in childhood asthma: an observational study of GP prescribing JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 788 LP - 790 VL - 56 IS - 531 AU - Mike Thomas AU - Steve Turner AU - Dave Leather AU - David Price Y1 - 2006/10/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/56/531/788.abstract N2 - Inhaled corticosteroids are effective and safe treatments for childhood asthma in standard doses, yet at high dosages they may be associated with adverse events and suboptimal outcomes; add-on therapy is, therefore, recommended to minimise their use. We quantified prescribing of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and add-on therapy in children in July 2003 and found that high-dose inhaled corticosteroids were prescribed to 10% of children aged 5–11 years and 6% of under-5's who were treated for asthma. Add-on therapy was lacking for almost half of these individuals. Some children were receiving treatment not in accord with current licences and evidence-based recommendations and, as such, may be at risk of adverse outcomes. ER -