Hello, Thank you for asking at HCM. I went through your daughter s history and would like to make suggestions for her as follows: 1. I would like to know more about her like - a. since when she has allergies? b. since when has she asthma? c. what are her symptoms? d. since when is she taking predcort ds? e. has she taken any inhalers? f. what is frequency of her attacks? etc etc Above details would help me to know about her problems better and therefore to make more specific suggestions for her. At present, I would like to make suggestions for her, from details provided by you, as follows: 2. Predcort ds is an oral corticosteroid. It is not used as first treatment in children with asthma as many safer alternative drugs are available. Unless your daughter has very severe asthma and she does not respond to safer medicines, I would not suggest regular use of predcort ds for my such patients. Side effects that can occur with regular/frequent use of oral corticosteroids are numerous - weight gain, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, gastritis, suppressed immunity, mental disturbances, cataract, glaucoma, and others.... 2. I usually treat my children patients with asthma with regular use of inhaled corticosteroids and montelukast. Inhaled corticosteroids have much less side effects as compared to oral corticosteroids as they act more locally. 3. I would also suggest her allergy testing for common air-borne allergens such as house dust mites, pollens, molds, insect proteins, animal dander, etc. This will help you to know identify the substances causing allergies to her as well as to know the measures to avoid them. 4. Based on allergy testing, an Allergist-Immunologist may prescribe her allergen specific immunotherapy which works on immune system to gradually improve allergies on long term basis. 5. In general, please avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible. 6. Regular physical exercise (including breathing exercises) as well as healthy diet rich in vitamins & minerals will also help her by improving her lung capacity as well as immunity on long term. 7. As you have specifically asked about dose of predcort ds, I would suggest you that please consult her doctor before continuing predcort ds. Please give her oral steroids only if her doctor finds they are necessary for her. Also, if she is taking oral steroids for long time, it is not desirable to stop them abruptly, it may cause rebound symptoms. Hence please gradually reduce dose under her pediatrician s guidance. Hope above suggestions will be helpful to her. Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at HCM. Wish your daughter a very good health ahead. Thank you & Regards.