Generic name: Budesonide Inhalation Suspension [ byoo-DES-oh-nide ]
Brand name: Pulmicort Respules
Drug classes: Glucocorticoids, Inhaled corticosteroids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 30, 2024.

Uses of Budesonide Inhalation Suspension:

• It is used to treat asthma.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
• Do not use budesonide inhalation suspension to treat an asthma attack. Use a rescue inhaler. Talk with your doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Budesonide Inhalation Suspension?

• If you have an allergy to budesonide or any other part of budesonide inhalation suspension.
• If you are allergic to budesonide inhalation suspension; any part of budesonide inhalation suspension; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take budesonide inhalation suspension with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Budesonide Inhalation Suspension?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take budesonide inhalation suspension. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
• Call your doctor right away if your breathing problems get worse, if your rescue inhaler does not work as well, or if you need to use your rescue inhaler more often.
• When changing from an oral steroid to another form of a steroid, there may be very bad and sometimes deadly side effects. Signs like weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, upset stomach, throwing up, not thinking clearly, or low blood sugar may happen. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. If you have a bad injury, have surgery, or any type of infection, you may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these stresses. Carry a warning card saying that there may be times when you may need extra steroids.
• If you have been taking budesonide inhalation suspension for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop budesonide inhalation suspension.
• Chickenpox and measles can be very bad or even deadly in some people taking steroid drugs like budesonide inhalation suspension. Avoid being near anyone with chickenpox or measles if you have not had these health problems before. If you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles, talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with your doctor to see if you have a higher chance of weak bones or if you have any questions.
• Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor.
• Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
• Have your eye pressure checked if you are on budesonide inhalation suspension for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
• If you are 65 or older, use budesonide inhalation suspension with care. You could have more side effects.
• This medicine may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is this medicine (Budesonide Inhalation Suspension) best taken?

Use budesonide inhalation suspension as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• For breathing in only as a liquid (solution) by a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs.
• Do not swallow budesonide inhalation suspension.
• Do not mix other drugs in nebulizer.
• Shake gently before use.
• Wash face after the dose if using a face mask.
• Keep using budesonide inhalation suspension as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Rinse out mouth after each use. Do not swallow the rinse water. Spit it out.
• If you are taking more than 1 inhaled drug, talk to your doctor about the best order for taking your drugs.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Related/similar drugs

Entyvio, Dupixent, Cimzia, Stelara, prednisone, fluticasone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone topical

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a very bad upset stomach or throwing up, very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, not hungry, or weight loss.
• Signs of Cushing's disease like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, very bad headache, or slow healing.
• Chest pain.
• Anxiety.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Not hungry.
• Very bad headache.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Bone or joint pain.
• Change in eyesight.
• Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• This medicine can cause very bad breathing problems right after you take a dose. Sometimes, this may be life-threatening. If you have trouble breathing, breathing that is worse, wheezing, or coughing after using budesonide inhalation suspension, use a rescue inhaler and get medical help right away.

What are some other side effects of Budesonide Inhalation Suspension?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Signs of a common cold.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Upset stomach.
• Cough.
• Nosebleed.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Budesonide Inhalation Suspension?

• Store upright at room temperature. Do not freeze.
• Protect from light.
• Throw away any part of opened pouch that is not used after 2 weeks.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about budesonide inhalation suspension, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• Can asthma inhalers cause a sore throat?

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer