Entocort EC

Generic name: Budesonide (oral)
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Usage of Entocort EC

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.

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

Entocort EC 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.

Entocort EC 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.

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

Common side effects of Entocort EC 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 Entocort EC

You should not use Entocort EC 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 Entocort EC in a child to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.

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How to use Entocort EC

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

Take Entocort EC in the morning with a full glass of water. You may take this medicine with or without food.

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

You should not stop using Entocort EC 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 Entocort EC 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 Entocort EC

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 Entocort EC with any other medicines, especially:

stomach acid reducers.

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

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.