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Overview: Budesonide is used to treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. It is a corticosteroid and works by reducing inflammation. Common side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach. Serious side effects include an increased risk of infections. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or symptoms such as a fever, chills, cough, or tiredness. Before taking budesonide, tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have and medicines you take. Budesonide comes as a capsule or tablet that is taken by mouth.

Uses

What is budesonide used for?

Budesonide is commonly used for the following conditions.

These uses may vary depending on the specific budesonide product prescribed. Budesonide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Other forms of budesonide that are taken by mouth are available for treating other conditions. See Eohilia and Tarpeyo for more information.

How does budesonide work (mechanism of action)?

Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It suppresses certain immune responses and reduces inflammation.

How is budesonide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Entocort EC
  • Uceris

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 3 mg delayed-release oral capsules
  • 9 mg extended-release oral tablets

How should I store budesonide?

Budesonide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect it from light and moisture.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of budesonide?

The most common side effects of budesonide are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the condition that is being treated. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in stress hormone (cortisol) levels (see below)
  • Stomach pain, a swollen belly, or upset stomach
  • Tiredness
  • Gas
  • Acne
  • Kidney or bladder infection (see below)
  • Pain, including back or joint pain
  • Constipation
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms (see below)
  • Dizziness

There may be other side effects of budesonide that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of budesonide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of budesonide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Budesonide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking budesonide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Increased Stress Hormone (Hypercortisolism). Taking budesonide for a long time can lead to hypercortisolism, a condition that happens when you have too much stress hormone, also called cortisol. The risk may be higher in children. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of increased stress hormone.

  • Acne
  • Easy or frequent bruising
  • More or thicker hair on your body and face
  • Rounded or moon-like face 
  • Ankle swelling
  • Hump or a fatty pad between your shoulders 
  • Stretch marks on your stomach, thighs, breasts, or arms

Reduced Adrenal Function. Taking budesonide for a long time can cause your body’s adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. This is especially a concern if you have been taking a corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, and you stop it and switch to budesonide. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
  • Low blood pressure

Infections. Budesonide can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of infections, including serious infections. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Burning or stinging when you pee
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Tiredness

Reactivated Infections. Some types of microbes that cause infections (such as bacteria or viruses) can remain in the body after you recover from that infection. When a microbe stays in the body but does not cause an infection, it is called a “latent” microbe. Budesonide may increase your risk of a latent microbe becoming active again, causing an infection. Before you start treatment with budesonide, tell your health care provider if you have ever had tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B, or any other serious infections.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use budesonide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take budesonide.

  • Budesonide
  • Entocort EC
  • Uceris
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific budesonide products they stock.

What should I know about budesonide before using it?

Do not take budesonide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share budesonide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep budesonide out of the reach of children.

Avoid being around people who have chickenpox or measles while you are taking budesonide. If you think you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles, tell your health care provider right away.

If you are taking budesonide extended-release tablets, do not chew, cut, or crush them. Swallow the tablet whole with water.

If you are taking budesonide delayed-release capsules, do not chew or crush them. The capsule can be swallowed whole or the contents of the capsule can be opened and taken with applesauce. To do this, open the capsule and empty the granules onto a tablespoon of applesauce. Swallow the medicine/applesauce mixture within 30 minutes without chewing or crushing. After taking the medicine/applesauce mixture, drink at least 8 ounces of cool water to help make sure you swallow the medicine completely.

Switching from another corticosteroid medicine by mouth (such as prednisone) to budesonide may cause a worsening of certain symptoms, including allergies (such as a runny or stuffy nose or eczema). Follow any instructions from your health care provider about how to switch medicines. Tell your health care provider if any symptoms you have get worse while taking budesonide.

What should I tell my health care provider before using budesonide?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if budesonide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Upcoming Surgeries. Tell your health care provider if you are planning to have surgery.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Budesonide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking budesonide, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Budesonide may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if budesonide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take budesonide while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does budesonide interact with foods or drinks?

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are taking budesonide. Grapefruit can increase levels of budesonide in your blood and may increase your risk of side effects.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect budesonide. The risk of dizziness and tiredness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking budesonide.

Does budesonide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking budesonide.

  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are used for fungal infections
  • A protease inhibitor, such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • A proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • An antacid
  • An H2 blocker, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid, Zantac), or nizatidine (Axid)
  • Any other medicine that contains a corticosteroid, such as for allergies or asthma

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of budesonide. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with budesonide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much budesonide?

If you or someone else has used too much budesonide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of budesonide?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.