when to stop usage of steroids for my child?

Hi,
My son ,age 10y was diagnosed with asthama 5 years back. Since Jan 2007, he has been on Buedecort inhaler 400mg twice a day. so toal 800mg in a dayThis was reduced and currently he is on 500 mg daily.

Inspite of this he does get cough/brethleassness once in 2-3 months although not very severe. He still had one episode of attack last june where oral steroids had to be given for 6 days.
My worry is its been 2 and half years. will this effect my child?  
Is he now addicted to it?
Pl help

[ChitChatNine]

HI and WELCOME .. I'm not a doctor but both my children were on inhaled steroids for years with no ill effects however their doctor thoroughly checked their height and weight at every followup appt.  They are now 18 & 16 and only on inhaled steroids when their asthma gets really bad which usually starts with an illenss for them.  They were diagnosed with asthma at age 18mos & 10yrs old respectively.

C~