Inhaled corticosteroids are well established in the treatment of asthma. Two newer metered-dose aerosols deliver 4–5 times the dose of earlier aerosols: the Becloforte inhaler (Allen and Hanbury) delivers 250µg of beclomethasone dipropionate per puff (Becotide delivers 50µg); the Pulmicort aerosol (Astra) delivers 200µg of budesonide (the Pulmicort paediatric inhaler delivers 50µg and is equivalent to Becotide). Do these high-dose steroid aerosols have a place in the treatment of asthma?