Budesonide (By mouth)
bue-DES-oh-nide
Treats Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. This medicine is a corticosteroid.
Drug classes
Endocrine-Metabolic Agent, Gastrointestinal Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Budesonide is used to treat an inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn’s disease. This medicine works inside the intestine (bowel) to reduce inflammation and symptoms of the disease. It also helps keep the symptoms of Crohn’s disease from coming back. Budesonide is a steroid (cortisone-like) medicine.
Budesonide extended-release tablets are used to help get active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis under control (induce remission).
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Long Acting Capsule, Long Acting Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. This medicine is usually taken in the morning.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open it.
Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you also use erythromycin (Ery-tab®), medicine to treat a fungal infection (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, Nizoral®), or medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Invirase®, Norvir®).
Tell your doctor if you use a medicine that weakens your immune system, such as other steroids or cancer medicines. Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using stomach medicines such as cimetidine, famotidine, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, ranitidine, Aciphex®, Dexilant®, Gaviscon®, Maalox®, Mylanta®, Nexium®, Pepcid®, Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Tagamet®, or Zantac®.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
When Not To Use
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to budesonide.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease (including cirrhosis), diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, tuberculosis, or a family history of cataracts, diabetes, or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you have tuberculosis (TB) or another infection, or if you have allergies.
You have a higher risk of adrenal gland problems if you use this medicine for a long time or use too much.
You may get infections more easily while you use this medicine. Avoid people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor right away if you have been exposed to someone who has chicken pox or measles.
This medicine may cause slow growth. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child’s height and weight.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Color changes on the skin, dark freckles, easy bruising, muscle weakness
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Round, puffy face
Thicker or more hair on your body and face
Unusual tiredness or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing
Itchy, scaly skin rash
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Entocort EC, Pulmicort, Pulmicort Spacer, Uceris
There may be other brand names for this medicine.