In this study, we evaluated participants' awareness of inhaled corticosteroids' actions and if they were given instruction on how to use their inhalers, to new users of inhaled corticosteroids who discontinued therapy. A telephone interview was conducted with patients. In addition to diagnostic information from their general practitioners, automated dispensing records were retrieved. Awareness of patients about inhaled corticosteroids' actions was the primary outcome measure. There were 115 (81.5%) willing participants out of 145. Inhaling corticosteroids has anti-inflammatory effects, but most patients were unaware of this. Generally, physicians or pharmacies taught patients how to use their inhalers. Despite at least one health care provider instructing patients about the use of inhalers, the majority were unaware of the effects of inhaled corticosteroids. Particularly for patients who must use inhaled corticosteroids continuously, pharmacist and physicians should reconsider their instructions