Budesonide and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• DC ...
• June 14, 2015

Budesonide for Asthma, Maintenance "I have recently reviewed the side effects associated with this medication and have found I have experienced quite a few of them. To my dismay, and my overall naiveté, these have contributed to some of the most uncomfortable and embarrassing situations. First and foremost, I had to have cataracts removed from both eyes just two years ago. Then there are the two bouts of pneumonia, the most recent was double pneumonia. Weight gain is nearly impossible to control, swelling of feet and lower legs is becoming far too frequent these days, numbness in the extremities, rashes have been getting even worse than they have been in a while, suffered through shingles, eczema, and other strange and sundry skin maladies. I've been on it too long, obviously."

• MJo...
• May 6, 2013

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "I had been on prednisone for almost 10 years, with many of the common side effects: round face, always gaining weight, and others. I am now on budesonide tablets, 6 mg per day, with no side effects. It truly is a miracle. My only complaint about this medicine is its outrageous cost. I say this because the medicine has been around since the early nineties in inhalers. I know this because my wife did clinical trials with this. My last month's bill was $360 for a thirty-day script, I might add, with Humana insurance. Each month the cost has gone up. I am afraid to think of what next month's bill is going to be. The budesonide has given me known side effects."

• vge...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with this microscopic colitis three years ago, and the only medication that has helped me is budesonide. Well, I was on it for three months, and I finally felt like myself again. Then my doctor informed me that I should stop, which I did. After a couple of weeks, I had the same symptoms again. Because it is a steroid, it should not be used for any length of time, I was told. So, like most everyone else, I had tried Apriso, Lialda with no relief at all. I am now starting again with budesonide for another course of treatment. For me, I put on weight and got lots of nasty black hairs around my chin, which I didn't like. That is one of the reasons why I don't look forward to taking this again. However, I will use this again for a rest."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2025

For Ulcerative Colitis "My ulcerative colitis has been controlled using budesonide for the last nine months. The major downside has been the 45 pounds of weight gain that has occurred during this time. I was not aware that this could happen."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2025

Budesonide for Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy "Seems to be helping my husband's IGAN - much lower protein levels and normal kidney functions, but the side effects are difficult and concerning. He has tendon cramps, fatigue, increased hunger, significant weight gain, and now elevated AST levels. Not sure where to go from here."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2025

For Autoimmune Hepatitis "I was on prednisone for 9 months. It was effective at keeping my liver enzymes normal, but had so many terrible side effects, the worst being extreme dizziness. I absolutely hated it! Now I'm on budesonide and what a difference! The dizziness went away, so I am walking normally again without requiring a walker, even running a little. I'm sleeping better. At first, I was on 6 mg capsules and it wasn't working as well. My dose was increased to 9 mg, but due to a high stress level, my enzymes increased a lot. I feel good on the budesonide, so I decreased my stress and my enzymes are normal again. I don't like or trust any pharmaceuticals, but I like budesonide because I feel more like my high-energy, healthy self, (even at 70), and it has less nasty side effects because it breaks down within the liver. The only side effect I have is a little acne on the bottom of my scalp. I have a little weight gain, but it fluctuates based on my diet and exercise. Overall - thumbs up!"

• 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."

• Ain...
• February 28, 2009

For Asthma, Maintenance "Pulmicort works for asthma. Weight gain is an issue, however."