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Budesonide

Generic name: budesonide (oral) [ bue-DES-oh-nide ]
Brand names: Ortikos, Tarpeyo, Uceris, Entocort EC
Dosage forms: oral capsule, extended release (6 mg; 9 mg), oral delayed release capsule (3 mg; 4 mg), ... show all 3 dosage forms
Drug classes: Glucocorticoids, Inhaled corticosteroids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 14, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is 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:

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:

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.

Warnings

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

Before taking this medicine

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

Tell your doctor if you have or ever had:

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 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 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.

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.

High doses or long-term use of steroid medicine can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while taking budesonide?

Grapefruit may interact with budesonide and cause side effects. Avoid consuming 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 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:

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.

Further information

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.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.