Budesonide and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2013

Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was excited when I 1st heard about Uceris' approval for ulcerative colitis. I started taking it, and the 1st few days I felt pretty good with minimal bathroom trips, stomach upset, etc. After about 3 days, things got worse and worse each day I took the medicine. It started as constant cramping and stomach pain, and slowly having very urgent bathroom needs. I had to stop taking Uceris because it made all my symptoms worse. So know that going in, that it can help you, but it also might make your situation worse."

• Lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2021

For Inflammatory Bowel Disease "I have completed 2 rounds of this budesonide, and when I'm on it, life is good and my IBD is controlled. Suffered for 10 years with chronic diarrhea and stomach pain. After the 1st dose, I felt much better and progressively got better during the 8-week course of treatment. My symptoms came back a couple of days after completing the medication, so the doctor prescribed the 2nd round. Just finished the 2nd round and can feel myself reverting back, waking up with stomach pain and diarrhea again. Waiting for the doctor to see what he recommends going forward, can't imagine taking a steroid for the rest of my life."

• 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."

• 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."

• vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2025

For Crohn's Disease "I've been bruising easily, having stomach pain, getting sick easily, having a general ill feeling, flushing, and I have gotten moon face. It has helped the blood in my stool, the mucus in my stool, and my loose bowels. It has helped my stomach pain a lot but not completely."

• Mel...
• September 19, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis approximately 4 months ago; tried Lialda and Apriso as samples; Lialda tore my stomach up, and Apriso worked better but not that well after a short time; I then filled my prescription at one pharmacy through my Medicare D plan; tier 4 drug; I was astounded at the price: $773 for a 30-day supply; I found out after the fact I could have gotten some somewhere else for $258, wow, 1/3 the cost. The drug has worked; I also order through Canadian pharmacies for a 3-month supply; nice price difference; unfortunately, the medicine has stopped working for me, and I have been in the hospital; still very diarrhea; am looking for better days. Hope this helps."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2023

For Crohn's Disease "Was started on a very low dose of 9 mg for 28 days, then down to 6 mg for 28 days, and then down to 3 mg for another 28 days. Didn't notice any change in the first month, other than helping joint pain and swelling. Stomach pain continued and was still finding it difficult to eat anything solid. Unfortunately, by the second month, I'm feeling very agitated and have anxiety, unable to sleep much either, so I'm going to ask my doctor to wean me off them. The side effects are outweighing any benefit I'm receiving."

• Dus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2022

Budesonide "I was given this for COVID pneumonia. This gave me the worst stomach pain I think I’ve ever had. It felt like a gut punch, and it took hours for the pain to settle down. Other side effects were horrible taste in mouth, extreme stomach ache (almost called 911), headache, irritated my atopic dermatitis, fatigue, and an overwhelming sense of malaise. The only way I’d take it again is if I was dying."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2021

For Eosinophilic Esophagitis "My son (age 12) was on budesonide for 7 months. His eosinophils reduced slightly, but his stomach pain never improved, and he completely stopped gaining weight. He has fallen to about -15% on the growth chart."

• 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."

• dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2016

Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis "Lessened my trips to the bathroom, but increased stomach pain. Palpitations and increased acne also. Stopped after 2 weeks on it."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2025

"Good control of diarrhea flares but side effects of sore mouth, stomach pain, and dizziness."