Asthma treatment helps half of patients quit steroids, researchers say

According to a study released late Wednesday in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, monthly injections of Tezepelumab helped 90% of patients with severe asthma reduce their dosage of corticosteroids.

The study was funded by drugmaker AstraZeneca.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says more than 28 million Americans have asthma. The foundation describes it as a chronic disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the airways, resulting in narrowing of the large and small airways that carry air from the nose and mouth to the lungs.

Researchers say oral corticosteroids help control airway inflammation and reduce asthma symptoms, but they carry serious health risks, including osteoporosis, diabetes and increased vulnerability to infections.

Most oral corticosteroids are taken daily