Other Brands/Names

Symbicort Rapihaler, Pulmicort Respules, Sonide 0,25, Sonide 0,5, Actacort, Budenofalk, Cortiment, Budesma, Obucort Swinghaler, Pulmicort Turbuhaler.

How It Works

Budesonide is a corticosteroid medicine. It decreases swelling/inflammation and irritation within the airways and the gastrointestinal tract.

Indications

• Budesonide is used to prevent breathing difficulty, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing caused by asthma.

• Crohn’s disease (a chronic, long-term inflammatory disease that affects the digestive system and can cause pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever).

• To reduce the protein levels in the urine in primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (a kidney disease in which immunoglobulin A (an antibody involved in immune function) accumulates in the kidneys and leads to kidney inflammation).

Contraindication

• History of allergy to budesonide.

• Budesonide must not be used to treat an acute asthma attack.

• Cirrhosis (liver scarring due to long-term damage).

Side Effects

• A dry or sore throat, hoarseness, voice changes, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, runny nose, nosebleeds, nausea, abdominal pain, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor promptly.
• Rare side effects: this medicine may cause a sudden worsening of breathing problems/asthma soon after use. If your breathing suddenly becomes worse, use your quick-acting inhaler and seek medical help immediately.
• Tell your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects, including: easy bruising/bleeding, facial swelling, unusual weight gain, changes in menstrual periods, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, restlessness), muscle weakness/pain, bone pain, thinning skin, slow wound healing, increased thirst/urination, vision problems, or symptoms of stomach/intestinal bleeding (such as abdominal pain, black stools, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds).

Types

Budesonide is available as inhalers, nebulizers, tablets, and capsules.

Dosage

Asthma (inhaler)

• Adults: 200–800 mcg daily as a single dose or in two divided doses. Maximum dose: 800 mcg twice daily.

• Children: 5–12 years old: 200–800 mcg daily in two divided doses. Over 12 years old: same as the adult dose.

• Nebulizer suspension: 3 months to 12 years: initial dose twice daily. Maintenance dose: 0.25–0.5 mg twice daily. Over 12 years old: same as the adult dose.

Crohn’s disease (oral)

• Adults: 9 mg daily as a single dose or in three divided doses, given about 30 minutes before meals. Treatment is given for up to 8 weeks. Reduce the dose over 2–4 weeks before stopping therapy.

Safety

• Before surgery or emergency care, or if you develop a serious illness or injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine or have taken it within the past 12 months.
• This medicine may increase your susceptibility to infections or worsen existing infections. Avoid contact with individuals who have infections that can spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, or influenza).
• Inform your healthcare professional that you are using budesonide before any immunizations or vaccinations.
• Long-term use of budesonide may slow a child’s growth; consult your doctor for details.
• During pregnancy, use this medicine only if clearly needed. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
• This medicine is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

• Decreased effectiveness of vaccines.

• Increased risk of side effects when given with CYP3A4 inhibitors (drugs that inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme, found primarily in the liver).

• May worsen hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels) when used with diuretics (medicines that remove excess salt and water via urine).

• May reduce budesonide absorption when used with cholestyramine (a cholesterol-lowering medicine) or antacids.

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