Budesonide



Entocort® EC; Pulmicort Respules®; Pulmicort Turbuhaler®; Rhinocort® Aqua®







Budesonide

(byoo DES oh nide)

U.S. Brand Names
Entocort® EC; Pulmicort Respules®; Pulmicort Turbuhaler®; Rhinocort® Aqua®
Canadian Brand Names
Entocort®; Gen-Budesonide AQ; Pulmicort®; Rhinocort® Turbuhaler®
Mexican Brand Names
Aerosial®; Pulmicort®; Rhinocort®
Pharmacologic Category
Corticosteroid, Inhalant (Oral); Corticosteroid, Nasal; Corticosteroid, Systemic
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • When switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled one, there can be problems. Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, inability to think clearly, or low blood sugar may occur. Call healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. If you have a serious accident and are injured, have surgery, or any type of infection, you may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these stresses. Carry a warning card saying that you may need extra steroids at certain times.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 1 year old.
  • If you have an allergy to budesonide or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat asthma. It may take 2-6 weeks to see the full effect.
  • This medicine is used to treat Crohn's disease. It may take 2 months to see the full effect.
  • This medicine is used to relieve allergy symptoms.
  • This medicine is used to treat nasal congestion. It may take 2 weeks to see the full effect.
How does it work?
  • Budesonide prevents or reduces irritation, inflammation, and swelling.
  • It blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.
How is it best taken?
  • Oral inhalation:
  • Shake well before use.
  • Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Read and follow all instructions provided with inhaler. Using the inhaler the right way is very important.
  • Rinse out mouth after each use.
  • Oral capsule:
  • Take this medicine in the morning if taking once a day.
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • Nasal:
  • For the nose only.
  • Shake well before use.
  • Blow your nose before use.
  • Check spray use with healthcare provider at each visit.
  • Nebulizer:
  • Follow directions given by healthcare provider or read the package insert.
  • Do not mix other medicines in nebulizer.
  • Shake well before use.
  • Rinse out mouth after each use.
  • Wash face if using a face mask.
  • If you are using an inhaled bronchodilator, wait 10 minutes before using this medicine.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you have been taking this medicine for several weeks, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
  • Do not use this medicine to treat an asthma attack.
  • Do not take St John's wort with this medicine. It may make this medicine less effective.
  • Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.
  • Wear disease medical alert identification.
  • Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles.
  • If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have glaucoma or cataracts, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have osteoporosis, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have stomach ulcers, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have tuberculosis, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Oral inhalation:
  • Headache.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Mouth sores. To prevent, rinse mouth with water and spit out.
  • Oral capsule:
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Acne.
  • Nasal:
  • Headache.
  • Nasal irritation.
  • Nebulizer:
  • Lung infection.
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Cough.
  • Ear infection.
  • Mouth sores. To prevent, rinse mouth with water and spit out.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Feeling extremely tired, weak, or irritable; trembling; having a fast heartbeat, confusion, sweating, or dizziness if you missed a dose or recently stopped this medicine.
  • If exposure to chickenpox has occurred and you have not had chickenpox or been vaccinated against it.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Oral capsule:
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from heat.
  • Protect powder from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Oral inhalation:
  • Store powder at room temperature. Throw away any unused portion after 2 months.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Nasal:
  • Store spray at room temperature with valve up. Throw away any unused portion after 6 months.
  • Protect from heat.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Nebulizer:
  • Store upright at room temperature. Throw away any unused portion after 2 weeks.
  • Protect from light.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: