Budesonide

Brand names

• Entocort
• Entocort enema
• Gen-Budesonide AQ
• Pulmicort
• Pulmicort Nebuamp
• Pulmicort Turbuhaler,
• Rhinocort Aqua
• Rhinocort Turbuhaler

Usage

Nasal inhalant: to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial allergies, such as hay fever) and to prevent recurrence of nasal polyps after surgical removal.
Oral inhalant: to treat asthma.
Enema: to treat ulcerative colitis at lower end of bowel.

How it works

Corticosteroids such as budesonide primarily reduce or prevent inflammation of the lining of the airways, reduce the allergic response to inhaled allergens, inhibit the secretion of mucus within the airways, and reduce inflammation of bowel lining.

Side effects

Serious

No serious side effects are associated with budesonide.

Common

Nasal inhalant: nosebleeds or bloody nasal secretions, nasal burning or irritation, sore throat. Oral inhalation: Sore throat, white patches in mouth or throat, hoarseness.

Less common

Eye pain, watering eyes, gradual decrease of vision, stomach pain and digestive disturbances, yeast infections in mouth (thrush).

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

The following medicaments may increase the effects of budesonide:

• some antiepileptic medicines such as (phenytoin-Dilantin) may increase risk of osteoporosis.
• inhalant bronchodilators-epinephrine, isoetharine, isoproterenol.
• methylphenidate (Ritalin) may cause increased growth suppression.
• oral bronchodilators-aminophylline, ephedrine, terbutaline, theophylline, etc.

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Fir or pine needle oil should not be used by asthmatics. Ephedra alone does carry a German Commission E monograph indication for asthma treatment. If you are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (aster, chrysanthemum, daisy or ragweed), you may also be allergic to Echinacea, chamomile, feverfew and St. John's wort. Added calcium and vitamin D while taking this medicine is prudent. Talk to your doctor before adding any herbals to this medicine.

Tobacco smoking:

Smoking can reduce the benefits of this medicament.

Occurrence of unrelated illness:

Acute infections, serious injuries and surgery can create an urgent need for cortisone-related medicaments. Call your doctor immediately in the event of new illness or injury.

Discontinuation:

If this medicament has made it possible to reduce or stop ongoing cortisone like medicaments, do not stop this medicament abruptly. If you must stop this medicament, call your doctor. You may need to resume cortisone medicines.