Budesonide(byoo des’ oh nide)
Inhalation: Entocort (CAN), Pulmicort Flexhaler, Pulmicort Respules, Rhinocort Aqua, Rhinocort Turbuhaler (CAN) Oral: Entocort ECDNC, UcerisDNC
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B (INHALATION)
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C (CAPSULE)
Drug class
Corticosteroid
Therapeutic Actions
Anti-inflammatory effect; local administration into nasal passages maximizes beneficial effects on these tissues, while decreasing the likelihood of adverse effects from systemic absorption.
Indications
Rhinocort Aqua: Management of symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6 yr and older
Respules/Flexhaler: Maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adults and children age 6 yr and older and for patients requiring corticosteroids for asthma
Inhalation suspension: Maintenance treatment and prophylaxis therapy of asthma in children 12 mo–8 yr
Oral: Treatment and maintenance of clinical remission for up to 3 mo of mild to moderate active Crohn’s disease involving the ileum or ascending colon
Unlabeled use: Eosinophilic esophagitis in children
Contraindications and Cautions
Inhalation
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to drug or for relief of acute asthma or bronchospasm.
Use cautiously with TB, systemic infections, lactation.
Oral
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to drug, lactation.
Use cautiously with TB, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer disease, glaucoma, cataracts, family history of diabetes or glaucoma, other conditions in which glucocorticosteroids may have unwanted effects.
Nasal
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to drug, nasal infections, nasal trauma, nasal septal ulcers, recent nasal surgery.
Use cautiously with lactation, TB, systemic infection.
Available Forms
Spray—32 mcg/actuation; dry powder for inhalation (Pulmicort Flexhaler)—90 mcg (delivers 80 mcg), 180 mcg (delivers 160 mcg); inhalation suspension—0.25 mg/2 mL, 0.5 mg/2 mL, 1 mg/2 mL; capsulesDNC—3, 9 mg
Dosages
Nasal inhalation
Adults and patients 6 yr and older
Initial dose, 64 mcg/day given as 1 spray (32 mcg) in each nostril once daily. After desired clinical effect is achieved, reduce dosage to the smallest dose possible to maintain the control of symptoms. Maximum daily dose for patients older than 12 yr is 256 mcg/day given as 4 sprays per nostril once daily. Patients 6 to younger than 12 yr should not exceed 128 mcg/day (given as 2 sprays per nostril once daily). Generally takes approximately 2 wk to achieve maximum clinical effect.
Pulmicort Flexhaler
Adults
360 mcg bid; maximum dose, 720 mcg bid. “Low” dose: 180–600 mcg/day; “medium”
dose: 600–1,200 mcg/day; “high” dose: more than 1,200 mcg/day.
dose: 600–1,200 mcg/day; “high” dose: more than 1,200 mcg/day.
Pediatric patients 6–17 yr
180 mcg bid; maximum dose, 360 mcg bid. “Low” dose: 180–400 mcg/day; “medium” dose: 400–800 mcg/day; “high” dose: more than 800 mcg/day.
Pulmicort Respules
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