Budesonide and Gas: What Users Say

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This drug Uceris may have initially helped, but as time went (the 2nd week or earlier) on, it caused so much cramping, gas, bloating, pain, and throwing up each day with my urgent other reasons for trips to the bathroom (and I had to have a bucket on my lap while dealing with the aftermath on both ends, being violently ill). To have so much added pain to my already active flare was horrifying. I believe the time-release part of the drug is to blame, as I’ve taken budesonide in the form of Entocort prior with decent results. I know it works for some people, and that’s great, but others can’t tolerate the time release, which was toxic to me."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis "I suffered frequent diarrhea, gas, and stomach pains for four months and lost 25 pounds with collagenous colitis. Finally started on budesonide at 9 mg a day for the first month, then 6 mg for month two and 3 mg for month three. This dosage tapering-off approach is important when taking steroids. It took 2 weeks before it started to work, but then my symptoms began to abate and became fully resolved by the end of month three with zero side effects. After I stopped the medication, the symptoms started to return after two weeks, and I thought I was doomed, but I took some Imodium and that did the trick. I have been symptom-free for 8 months now. Thankfully, I have a drug plan and live in Canada, so I only had to pay a very small amount for these very expensive pills."

• UCW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2019

Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This is my last week using the Uceris foam. I have not noticed any significant differences over the past 6 weeks while using this. So unfortunate because I thought since the foam was going right to my ulcers, it would really heal them, but instead I’m still going to the bathroom 6-10 times a day with fresh blood, painful gas, and pressure. Doctor said my next choices are switching my diet drastically, prednisone, or a biologic. Scared of biologics but think prednisone and a different enema will really help. Wish me luck!"

• Awe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I am able to consume food and liquids without vomiting or experiencing blood in the toilet. This is the first time in nearly ten years that I have been able to maintain a weight of 85 lbs or above. However, there are several side effects that come with this accomplishment. These side effects include a persistent runny nose for the past three months, mood swings and suicidal thoughts that make it difficult to sleep and enjoy life, constipation that lasts for 4-7 days, and unbearable bloating, cramping, and gas pains. Despite taking 290 mcg of Linzess, my irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) remains the only condition left to plague me. Other unpleasant side effects include adult acne, migraines, Bartholin cysts, skipped periods (despite having gained weight), unexplained bruises and cuts that refuse to heal despite not being anemic, and thin skin on my face resulting in bleeding lines around my mouth and eyebrows if I try to groom them. During a recent out-of-town trip where I was without my medication for three days, I suffered a full-body edema attack that lasted for ten days. The process of tapering off my medication is also incredibly difficult and not to be taken lightly. I am counting down the days until I no longer have to endure these side effects, as they are taking a severe toll on my mental and physical health. I will never subject myself to this medication again."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2025

For Crohn's Disease, Active "I have had Crohn's for over forty years. I have taken prednisone for flare-ups but very little other medications. I have had a few major flares in the last 5 years that have landed me in the hospital. My GI doctor put me on budesonide for 2 months. During that time I had greatly reduced symptoms. This week I finished the course of budesonide. Within 3 days of discontinuing the drug, my symptoms of bloating, gas, lower right abdominal pain, and GERD have returned. The change was dramatic. It has only been a few days, but I'm wondering what the long-term effects of budesonide are."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2024

Budesonide "Entocort is very difficult to get off. It will take several months, and any misstep will set you back with diarrhea to the beginning. I had heart medications to take and should never have started Entocort. The timing between pills was complex and conflicted with my heart pills. Moreover, the anti-diarrheal in Entocort is only strong for 4 hours, and the first half-hour it is starting up, while the last half-hour is winding down. It conflicted with my heart pills and vitamins for an hour before and 2 hours after. I would become bloated with gas. If you don't have conflicts, it may be working on the inflammation. None of this information is explained before starting. It should have been on a prep sheet sold with the medication with potential problems. If you have one basic problem and are willing to take it for life, it sounds like it works from other reviews. I had it under control with diet before the heart complication and hope to get there again."