Budesonide and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

For Inflammatory Bowel Disease "I have been on budesonide 9 mg for nearly 2 weeks. The diarrhea slowed down after a couple of days. I have been very sick on and off this last week. Stomach pain, nausea, headache, weakness, insomnia. I have read the side effects just now and realized that it is the tablet that is making me so sick. Going O/S in 2 weeks, and I am extremely worried."

• ckl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2023

"Taking a 9-week taper for collagenous colitis. I can't wait until I'm off of it. Many side effects, insomnia, horrible nightmares when I do sleep, weight gain, my fingernails are brittle and peeling. Back and shoulder pain."

• Les...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis "This did nothing for me, except result in more diarrhea and lack of sleep. I found the side effects far worse than prednisone. I took it for five days at 9 mg/day orally. I felt edgy, and the insomnia was horrible. I also had stomach cramps and more trips to the bathroom. I had to stop it."

• Les...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis "This did nothing for me, except result in more diarrhea and lack of sleep. I found the side effects far worse than prednisone. I took it for five days at 9 mg/day orally. I felt edgy, and the insomnia was horrible. I also had stomach cramps and more trips to the bathroom. I had to stop it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2025

"I have taken budesonide for about 7 years. Initially, there were no side effects, but now I have severe insomnia. Last night, for the first time, I did not sleep at all. This makes me very tired and ruins my day. I only take one pill in the morning, though the prescription states I can take 2 pills. I would prefer not to take the drug, but according to my doctor, budesonide is the drug that works for my condition. It's difficult for me to rate the drug, since it's the only one for my condition, but insomnia is something I cannot live with for the long term."

• Ead...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2025

"The treatment was very effective but tough side effects: runny nose, poor sleep, unusual weakness in legs, round face with redness, swollen feet, weight gain, splits in skin in hands from extreme dryness all over my body, increased wind, increased night urination, problems with loss of memory. All very frightening, especially the memory loss and poor concentration. Stopped tablets 2 months ago - some memory improvement, still very weak legs, red face remains, shape of face better, no loss of weight but trying, swelling in feet gone. Very good outcome to tablets but not wanting to go back to it at flare-ups due to side effects and mental health challenges."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis "No. I will never take this again. It has caused nausea, stomach pain, fatigue, broken sleep, and whatever else wasn’t already bad enough with my flare."