People take anti-inflammatory medications to treat a variety of medical problems from asthma and other breathing disorders to arthritis and gout. These types of drugs work to reduce or prevent inflammation that can cause pain or inhibit normal breathing, as in the case of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as emphysema and asthma.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Physicians can prescribe corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation of many parts of the body. When taken as inhalants, these kinds of drugs help control inflammation of the lungs that causes the symptoms of asthma. Taken in this form, MayoClinic.com states, few side effects occur, unlike the oral versions of these drugs. Asthma sufferers typically inhale corticosteroids through the mouth using a pump or diskus. While no common serious side effects exist with inhaled corticosteroids--only rare and less common effects--they may cause temporary, non-serious problems such as flu-like symptoms. These may include headaches, a cough, a runny nose, throat soreness and congestion.
Oral Corticosteroids
These types of anti-inflammatory medications may help provide a short-term reduction in inflammation, but they have serious long-term side effects as well. Useful in the treatment of asthma, these drugs also help reduce severe gout flare-ups and nearly any other kind of inflammatory problem in the body. Long-term side effects, MayoClinic.com reports, may include weakness in the muscles, changes in heartbeat, bloating in the face, problems with menstruation and insomnia. In addition, because oral corticosteroids reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, they can prolong healing for wounds and bruises. For any serious side effects related to taking corticosteroids for a long time, MayoClinic.com recommends consulting a doctor.
Topical Corticosteroids
In weak doses in the form of foams, gels and creams, corticosteroids can help reduce the inflammation associated with skin conditions such as psoriasis and hemorrhoids, the National Institutes of Health says. People can buy medications such as hydrocortisone over the counter or, for stronger versions, ask for a physician's prescription.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines--also known as NSAIDs--often have fewer severe side effects than steroids. People can buy NSAIDs over the counter without a doctor's prescription. Types of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Doctors prescribe higher doses of these drugs as well as some other NSAIDs such as celecoxib and etodolac, for more severe problems. NSAIDs typically help relieve the symptoms of different forms of arthritis--osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout--as well as any pain, stiffness and swelling caused by inflammation. With or without a prescription, NSAIDs can cause some common side effects, both serious and non-serious, that include nausea, diarrhea, abnormal bleeding and breathing difficulties.
