NHLBI ICS DOSING CHART









  • Some doses may be outside package labeling, especially in the high-dose range
  • Budesonide nebulizer suspension is the only inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with FDA-approved labeling for children less than 4 years of age.
  • Reference: NHLBI Asthma care quick reference
ICS DOSING FOR 0 - 4 YEARS OF AGE
Medication Low Medium High
Budesonide
(Pulmicort Respules®)
given once daily or
in 2 divided doses
0.25, 0.5, 1 mg nebs
0.25 - 0.5 mg/day
(see notes below)
> 0.5 - 1.0 mg/day
(see notes below)
> 1.0 mg/day
(see notes below)
Fluticasone
(Flovent HFA®)
given in 2 divided doses
44, 110, or 220 mcg/actuation
176 mcg/day
(see notes below)
> 176 - 352 mcg/day
(see notes below)
> 352 mcg/day
(see notes below)


  • Some doses may be outside package labeling, especially in the high-dose range
  • Reference: NHLBI Asthma care quick reference
ICS DOSING FOR 5 - 11 YEARS OF AGE
Medication Low Medium High
Beclomethasone
(Qvar®)
given in 2 divided doses
40 or 80 mcg/actuation
80 - 160 mcg/day > 160 - 320 mcg/day > 320 mcg/day
Budesonide
(Pulmicort Flexhaler®)
given in 2 divided doses
90 or 180 mcg/actuation
180 - 360 mcg/day > 360 - 720 mcg/day > 720 mcg/day
Budesonide
(Pulmicort Respules®)
given once daily or
in 2 divided doses
0.25, 0.5, 1 mg nebs
0.5 mg/day 1.0 mg/day 2.0 mg/day
Ciclesonide
(Alvesco®)
given in 2 divided doses
80 or 160 mcg/actuation
80 - 160 mcg/day > 160 - 320 mcg/day > 320 mcg/day
Flunisolide
(Aerospan®)
given in 2 divided doses
80 mcg/actuation
160 mcg/day 320 - 480 mcg/day ≥ 480 mcg/day
Fluticasone
(Flovent HFA®)
given in 2 divided doses
44, 110, or 220 mcg/actuation
88 - 176 mcg/day > 176 - 352 mcg/day ≥ 352 mcg/day
Fluticasone
(Flovent Diskus®)
given in 2 divided doses
50, 100, or 250 mcg/actuation
100 - 200 mcg/day > 200 - 400 mcg/day > 400 mcg/day
Mometasone
(Asmanex®)
given once daily or
in 2 divided doses
110 or 220 mcg/actuation
110 mcg/day 220 - 440 mcg/day > 440 mcg/day

  • Some doses may be outside package labeling, especially in the high-dose range
  • Reference: NHLBI Asthma care quick reference
ICS DOSING FOR ≥ 12 YEARS OF AGE
Medication Low Medium High
Beclomethasone
(Qvar®)
given in 2 divided doses
40 or 80 mcg/actuation
80 - 240 mcg/day > 240 - 480 mcg/day > 480 mcg/day
Budesonide
(Pulmicort Flexhaler®)
given in 2 divided doses
90 or 180 mcg/actuation
180 - 540 mcg/day > 540 - 1080 mcg/day > 1080 mcg/day
Budesonide
(Pulmicort Respules®)
given once daily or
in 2 divided doses
0.25, 0.5, 1 mg nebs
N/A
Ciclesonide
(Alvesco®)
given in 2 divided doses
80 or 160 mcg/actuation
160 - 320 mcg/day > 320 - 640 mcg/day > 640 mcg/day
Flunisolide
(Aerospan®)
given in 2 divided doses
80 mcg/actuation
320 mcg/day > 320 - 640 mcg/day > 640 mcg/day
Fluticasone
(Flovent HFA®)
given in 2 divided doses
44, 110, or 220 mcg/actuation
88 - 264 mcg/day > 264 - 440 mcg/day > 440 mcg/day
Fluticasone
(Flovent Diskus®)
given in 2 divided doses
50, 100, or 250 mcg/actuation
100 - 300 mcg/day > 300 - 500 mcg/day > 500 mcg/day
Mometasone
(Asmanex®)
given once daily or
in 2 divided doses
110 or 220 mcg/actuation
110 - 220 mcg/day > 220 - 440 mcg/day > 440 mcg/day