Orapred is an oral (systemic) steroid that reduces the inflammation in the lungs. Used short term, it can be a wonder drug, used long term it can have some very serious side effects. My children have all used it multiple times for various reasons (not lung related - it has anti-inflammatory properties and can stop or decrease an allergic reaction). I wouldn't have an issue with your ds being on it. If, however, they want to use it for longer than just a few weeks, I'd sit down with your dr and have a serious discussion about side effects, cost/benefit, and safer alternatives. Also, if used longer than 10 days, your body does become dependant on it and your ds will need to be slowly withdrawn from the drug. (Example, when my ds takes 2 tsps/day, we decrease to 1-1/2/day for a couple days, then 1/day for a couple days, 1/2 day and finally 1/2 every other day for a few days before discontinuing.)
Is your ds on any inhaled steroids like pulmicort, flovent, azmacort, QVar, etc?? If not, I'd discuss adding one of these and doing a short "burst" of orapred for 10 days or shorter first. If he is already on one of these, I'd discuss doubling the inhaled steroid and trying a short burst or even a month long taper before I'd consider staying on orapred indefinitely. Side effects include: water retention, "moon" face, moodiness, hyperactivity, depression of the body's normal production of cortisol, cataracts, glaucoma, and osteoperosis to name a few. It makes the body less able to heal and depresses can depress the immune system. It's pretty serious stuff but side effects are usually minimal when used short-term. My little kids get hyper/restless and more emotional, older ds says he can't concentrate while using it. It does usually work really well.
Hope that helps!
