ABSTRACT

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and airflow limitation. Inhaler therapy and corticosteroids remain the cornerstone of asthma management by controlling airway inflammation and preventing disease exacerbations. However, these therapeutic agents may cause adverse effects and are associated with potential drug–drug and food–drug interactions that can compromise treatment efficacy and patient safety.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of inhaler and corticosteroid therapy and to identify the potential for drug–drug and food–drug interactions in adult patients with asthma.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant studies published between 2021 and 2026 were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, BioMed Central (BMC), GARUDA, SINTA, Neliti, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). A total of 32 articles were initially identified. After applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 original research articles were included in the final analysis.
Results: The reviewed studies consistently demonstrated that inhaler and corticosteroid therapies effectively improved asthma symptom control, reduced airway inflammation, enhanced pulmonary function, and decreased the frequency of exacerbations. Nevertheless, treatment-related adverse effects and the potential for drug–drug and food–drug interactions remain important clinical concerns, particularly among patients receiving systemic corticosteroids or multiple concomitant medications. Appropriate therapeutic monitoring was consistently associated with improved treatment safety and optimized clinical outcomes.
Conclusion: Inhaler and corticosteroid therapies remain the cornerstone of pharmacological management for adult asthma and provide substantial clinical benefits in controlling disease activity. Nevertheless, careful therapeutic monitoring, rational medication use, and appropriate management of potential drug–drug and food–drug interactions are essential to maximize therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

KEYWORDS

Asthma; Inhaler Therapy; Inhaled Corticosteroids; Drug–Drug Interactions; Food–Drug Interactions; Adult Patients; Systematic Literature Review

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Cite this article

Asiyah, S. N., Maghfiroh, A. A., Rokhimah, A., Riandini, A., Wiqoyah, I., Putri, N. D. V., & Fajri, R. A. N. (2026). Effectiveness of Inhaler and Corticosteroid Therapy and Potential Drug–Drug and Food–Drug Interactions in Adult Patients with Asthma: A Systematic Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH, 5(7), 644-652. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijhmr.2026.v5i7n11