Best Corticosteroid for asthma
Top-rated pick: Flunisolide — pharmaranks score 72/100, the highest of the 13 Corticosteroid drugs used for asthma, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for asthma or the full Corticosteroid class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 13 corticosteroid drugs we rate for asthma, all are available as lower-cost generics, and most are drops. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for asthma; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How corticosteroid work
Corticosteroids mimic the body's natural stress hormone cortisol: they enter cells and bind a glucocorticoid receptor that switches off genes for inflammatory chemicals, calming swelling, redness, and an overactive immune response.
Other drug classes for asthma
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Top corticosteroid for asthma: 1. Flunisolide · 2. Pred Forte · 3. Methylprednisolone
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $31 | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $31 | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 7 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $2 | View → | |
| 8 | 66/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 9 | 60/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $31 | View → | |
| 10 | 60/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $1 | View → |
Full ranking · 13 drugs
flunisolide
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Flunisolide is a corticosteroid used to treat Asthma, Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.
Pharmacy pays
$1.88 /mL
Save up to 87% in class
pred forte
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Pred Forte (Prednisolone Acetate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in classmethylprednisolone
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Asthma, Berylliosis, Brain Neoplasms.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.45/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in classmethylprednisolone acetate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Methylprednisolone Acetate is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Asthma, Berylliosis, Brain Neoplasms.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.45/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in class
pediapred
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Pediapred (Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in classpred mild
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Pred Mild (Prednisolone Acetate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in classprednisone
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$1.12/30· 8 forms
omnipred
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Omnipred (Prednisolone Acetate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in class
medrol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Medrol (Methylprednisolone) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Asthma, Berylliosis, Brain Neoplasms.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.45/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in classprednisolone acetate
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Prednisolone Acetate is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in classdepo-medrol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Depo-Medrol (Methylprednisolone Acetate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Asthma, Berylliosis, Brain Neoplasms.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.45/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in classorapred odt
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Orapred ODT (Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Hemolytic Anemia, Asthma, Berylliosis.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$0.54· 5 forms Save up to 60% in classsolu-medrol
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Solu-Medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) is a corticosteroid used to treat Adrenal Insufficiency, Asthma, Berylliosis, Brain Neoplasms.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.45/30· 8 forms Save up to 94% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best corticosteroid for asthma?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — flunisolide ranks highest among Corticosteroid drugs used for asthma. Always consult a professional.
- Which corticosteroid drugs treat asthma?
- pharmaranks lists 13 Corticosteroid products used for asthma, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.