Asthma medications, like all types of medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are required to include a separate “geriatric use” section on the labeling of the medication. Users of asthma medications aged 65 and older are encouraged to carefully read this information before taking any type of asthma medication.

Generally, the side effects of a medication are more pronounced in elderly users. This is usually a result of the body’s declining ability to efficiently process some medications. For example, the kidneys are often involved with eliminating certain types of drugs from the body, which limits or avoids the side effects of those drugs. However, kidney function commonly decreases with age, reducing the body’s ability to effectively dispose of those medications. A buildup of medications in the body increases the risk of side effects.

Older adults appear to have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure or osteoporosis (a disorder in which the bones lose mass and density) when taking corticosteroid drugs.