Ratification Date: 29/07/2025

Next Review Date: 29/07/2027

Corticosteroids – Inhaled (Various) – Children who wheeze with a cold (viral wheeze / bronchiolitis)

Drug Name (Brand) Inhaled corticosteroids  (Various)
Indication Children who wheeze with a cold (viral wheeze / bronchiolitis)
Traffic Light Classification BLACK
NICE TA (plus link) Overview | Bronchiolitis in children: diagnosis and management | Guidance | NICE
Further Information:

NICE recommendations, summary of meeting discussions, links to additional supporting docs etc.

 

No supporting evidence for the common practice of using inhaled steroids in children who wheeze only with a cold. Instead use a short course of oral steroids and multi-dosing of a bronchodilator. Consider anti-cholinergics in younger children.

 

January 2008: The TAG noted NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 131 – Inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of chronic asthma in children under the age of 12 years.

 

July 2015: The TAG and the D&TCG noted and acknowledged (NICE) NG 9 (May 2015) – Bronchiolitis in Children. NG 9 recommends that the following treatments should NOT be used to treat this condition in children:

*           antibiotics

* hypertonic saline

* adrenaline (nebulised)

* salbutamol

* montelukast

*           ipratropium bromide

* systemic or inhaled corticosteroids

* a combination of systemic corticosteroids and nebulised adrenaline.

 

July 2015: The D&TCG acknowledged NG 9 and agreed that the supporting evidence for this guidance would be considered further by the group.

 

Date of TAG recommendation / ratification 3/1/2002 Review Date