Hello. Thank you for asking at HCM. I went through your child s history. Responding to your queries, I would emphasize on 4 important points for you: 1. Most of children with childhood asthma improve by the age of 6-8 years depending on type of asthma they have. So please stay positive and hopeful regarding improvement in his/her asthma. 2. Montelukast and Budecort both are known as controller medications for asthma. A child has to take them regularly as per doctor s advice. They control asthma or rather prevent asthma attacks. Budecort is an inhaled steroid, more potent than montelukast, effective for asthma. Montelukast is non-steroid drug, less potent but effective for both asthma and allergic rhinitis. Moreover, it can be used as a steroid-sparing drug and very safe for long-term use. So were I treating your child, I would suggest to take regular montelukast along with minimum dosage of corticosteroid that controls asthma. For example, at present he is on 400 mcg (100, 2 puffs, twice a day) Budecort a day, I would try to control asthma with montelukast and 200 mcg Budecort per day. 3. Regarding safety of inhaled steroids, 200-400 mcg budesonide (the drug in Budecort) per day is generally considered safe for children. (I don t know the exact age of your child). Common side effects can be throat irritation, oral thrush, etc. These can be prevented by correct technique of using inhaler and rinsing after inhaler use. 4. I would suggest you Budecort inhaler with spacer (with baby mask if child s age is less than 4 years). This will ensure maximum delivery to lungs and least possibility of side effects. Hope you got satisfactory answers for all your queries. Wish your child the best of the health. Regards.