Skip to main content

Budesonide Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 1, 2024.

Applies to the following strengths: 0.25 mg/2 mL; 0.5 mg/2 mL; 1 mg/2 mL; 3 mg; 200 mcg/inh; 180 mcg/inh; 90 mcg/inh; 9 mg; 2 mg/dose; 6 mg; 2 mg/10 mL; 4 mg

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma - Maintenance

Inhalation Powder (FLEXHALER)
Initial dose: 360 mcg via oral inhalation twice a day: in some patients an initial dose of 180 mcg twice a day may be adequate
Maintenance dose: May increase dose in 1 to 2 weeks if response is not adequate; after asthma stability has been achieved, titrate to the lowest effective dose to reduce the possibility of side effects
Maximum dose: 720 mcg twice a day

Comments:


Use: For the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy.

Usual Adult Dose for Crohn's Disease - Acute

Enteric coated capsules
Initial dose: 9 mg orally once a day in the morning for up to 8 weeks


Comments:

Use: Treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn's disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon.

Usual Adult Dose for Crohn's Disease - Maintenance

Enteric coated capsules:
6 mg orally once a day in the morning for up to 3 months


Comments:

Use: Maintenance of clinical remission of mild to moderate Crohn's disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon for up to 3 months.

Usual Adult Dose for Ulcerative Colitis

Extended-release tablets:
Initial dose: 9 mg orally once a day in the morning
Duration of therapy: Up to 8 weeks

Rectal Foam:
For Active Mild to Moderate Distal Ulcerative Colitis Extending up to 40 cm from the Anal Verge:
1 metered dose administered rectally twice a day for 2 weeks, then 1 metered dose administered rectally once a day for 4 weeks

Comments:


Use: For the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

Usual Adult Dose for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Oral suspension stick packs:
Recommended dosage: 2 mg orally twice daily for 12 weeks
Duration: Has not been shown to be safe and effective for longer than 12 weeks

Use: Adults with eosinophilic esophagitis

Usual Adult Dose for Primary Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy

Recommended dosage: 16 mg orally once daily, in the morning at least 1 hour before a meal
Duration: 9 months

Comment:


Use: To reduce the loss of kidney function in adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy who are at risk of disease progression

Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma - Maintenance

Inhalation Suspension (administer via jet nebulizer):
Age: 1 to 8 years: Initial and maximum dose are based on prior asthma therapy:


Comments:

Inhalation Powder (oral inhaler):
Age: 6 to 17 years:

Comments:

Use: For the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Crohn's Disease - Acute

Age 8 years or older; weight greater than 25 kg

Enteric coated capsules:
9 mg orally once a day in the morning for up to 8 weeks; then 6 mg orally once a day for 2 weeks

Comments:


Use: Treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn's disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Oral suspension stick packs:
Recommended dosage for patients 11 years and older: 2 mg orally twice daily for 12 weeks
Duration: Has not been shown to be safe and effective for longer than 12 weeks

Use: Pediatric patients 11 years and older with eosinophilic esophagitis

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended

Liver Dose Adjustments

Moderate to severe hepatic impairment: Due to increasing systemic exposure with increasing degree of hepatic impairment, patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment should be monitored for increased signs and/or symptoms of hypercorticism; discontinuation should be considered if signs and/or symptoms of hypercorticism develop.

Enteric Coated Capsules:
Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C): Avoid use
Mild or Moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A and B): Adults: Consider reducing the dose to 4 mg orally once a day

Dose Adjustments

Elderly patients: Dose selection should be cautious, generally starting at the low end of the dose range.

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Additional CONTRAINDICATIONS for oral inhalation:

Safety and efficacy of enteric coated capsules have not been established in patients younger than 8 years
Safety and efficacy of extended-release tablets have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Safety and efficacy of inhaled powder (oral inhaler) have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.
Safety and efficacy of inhaled suspension (oral nebulizer) has been established in patients 12 months to 8 years.
Safety and efficacy of oral suspension (stick packs) has not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Safety and efficacy of rectal foam has not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:
Asthma: Inhalation Powder; Inhalation Suspension:


Extended-release Tablets; Enteric coated Capsules:

Oral suspension (stick packs):

Rectal Foam:

Storage requirements:
Oral inhaler:
Inhalation suspension:
Oral suspension (stick packs):
Rectal foam:

Preparation techniques: The manufacturer product information should be consulted for complete instructions.
Oral inhaler:
Inhalation suspension:
Rectal foam:

Compatibility:
Inhalation suspension: Do not mix with other nebulizer medications as the effects of mixing are not known.

General:

Monitoring:

Patient advice:

Further information

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