What is the most important information I should know about budesonide?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
What is budesonide?
Budesonide is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the body.
Budesonide is used to treat mild to moderate Crohn's disease.
Budesonide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking budesonide?
You should not use budesonide if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- tuberculosis;
- a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection;
- a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines);
- high blood pressure;
- cirrhosis or other liver disease;
- stomach ulcer;
- osteoporosis or low bone mineral density;
- eczema;
- any allergies; or
- (in you or a family member) diabetes, cataracts, or glaucoma.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you have taken budesonide during pregnancy, tell your doctor if your newborn baby has symptoms such as weakness, irritability, vomiting, or feeding problems.
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Budesonide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take budesonide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take this medicine in the morning with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break a budesonide capsule or tablet. Swallow it whole.
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.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using budesonide.
Budesonide can weaken your immune system. Tell your doctor if you have signs of infection such as fever, chills, body aches, vomiting, or feeling tired.
If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking budesonide?
Grapefruit may interact with budesonide and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using budesonide.
What are the possible side effects of budesonide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- thinning skin, easy bruising, increased acne or facial hair;
- swelling in your ankles;
- weakness, tiredness, or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding;
- pain or burning when you urinate;
- menstrual problems (in women), impotence or loss of interest in sex (in men); or
- stretch marks, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist).
Common side effects may include:
- headache;
- nausea, stomach pain, gas, bloating, constipation;
- feeling tired;
- joint pain;
- acne; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
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.
What other drugs will affect budesonide?
Many drugs can affect budesonide. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about budesonide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum'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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum 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.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.03. Revision date: 5/16/2019.
