Budesonide

Generic name: Budesonide (oral)

Usage of Budesonide

Entocort and Ortikos are used to treat mild to moderate Crohn's disease in adults and children at least 8 years old who weigh 55 pounds (25 kg) or more. These medicines are also used in adults for up to 3 months to keep symptoms from returning.

Uceris is used to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults.

Tarpeyo is used to lower levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria) in adults with a kidney disease called primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

Budesonide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Budesonide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Budesonide may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

increased adrenal gland hormones--hunger, weight gain, swelling, skin discoloration, slow wound healing, sweating, acne, increased body hair, tiredness, mood changes, muscle weakness, missed menstrual periods, sexual changes;

decreased adrenal gland hormones--nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, feeling tired or light-headed, muscle or joint pain, skin discoloration, craving salty foods; or

signs of infection--fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding.

Budesonide can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using budesonide.

Common side effects of budesonide may include:

headache, dizziness;

indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, gas, constipation;

feeling tired;

high blood pressure;

back pain, muscle cramps, joint pain;

swelling of the face, lower legs, ankles, and feet;

pain and burning when you urinate;

acne;

thicker or increased hair on your body and face;

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or

decreased adrenal gland hormones.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Budesonide

You should not use budesonide if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have or ever had:

tuberculosis;

any type of infection caused by bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasites especially chickenpox or measles;

high blood pressure;

a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines);

osteoporosis or low bone mineral density;

a stomach ulcer;

eczema;

plan to have a surgery;

any allergies;

diabetes, cataracts, or glaucoma (in you or a family member); or

liver disease.

Steroids can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you had within the past several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Do not use budesonide in a child to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

How to use Budesonide

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take budesonide in the morning with a full glass of water. You may take budesonide with or without food.

Take Tarpeyo in the morning, at least 1 hour before a meal.

You should not stop using budesonide suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Do not stop using Tarpeyo without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if your medicine seems to stop working.

Do not crush, break, or dissolve a tablet or capsule of Uceris, Tarpeyo, or Ortikos. Swallow it whole.

If you cannot swallow an Entocort capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing, then drink a full glass of water.

Your dosage needs may change if you have surgery, are ill, or are under stress. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

If you take budesonide long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Budesonide

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using budesonide with any other medicines, especially:

stomach acid reducers.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect budesonide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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