Budesonide

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Updated on August 16, 2023

Budesonide is a generic medication prescribed for conditions such as asthma. Its brand-name versions are Entocort EC, Ortikos, Pulmicort, Rhinocort, Tarpeyo, and Uceris. Budesonide’s cost with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Budesonide comes in these forms:

• inhalation suspension that you inhale using a nebulizer device*
• delayed-release oral capsule (releases the drug after it passes through your stomach)
• extended-release oral tablet (releases the drug in your body)
• rectal foam

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved budesonide to:

• treat active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in adults
• treat active mild to moderate Crohn’s disease in adults and some children
• prevent symptoms of mild to moderate Crohn’s disease in adults
• treat or prevent asthma in some children

Read on to learn about budesonide and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about budesonide, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

* The inhalation suspension is a liquid. A nebulizer device turns the liquid into a mist that you breathe into your lungs.

Cost of budesonide

Like other medications, the cost of budesonide can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much budesonide costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for budesonide

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of budesonide. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for budesonide

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of budesonide. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for budesonide. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin treatment without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re on budesonide treatment long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Budesonide is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed budesonide, but you’re interested in taking a brand-name version, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of budesonide compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

* The inhalation suspension is a liquid. A nebulizer device turns the liquid into a mist that you breathe into your lungs.
† Budesonide nasal spray is available as an over-the-counter medication. Talk with your doctor to learn more.

Common questions about budesonide and cost

Here are some common questions about budesonide and their answers.  

Does the cost of budesonide vary by form, such as delayed-release oral capsules or inhalation suspension?

Yes, it’s possible. The cost of budesonide may vary across its available forms and strengths. These include:

• oral delayed-release capsule that comes in one strength: 3 milligrams (mg)
• oral extended-release tablet that comes in one strength: 9 mg
• rectal foam that comes in one strength: 2 mg per metered dose
• inhalation suspension that comes in two strengths: 0.25 mg per 2 milliliters (mL) and 0.5 mg/2 mL

Budesonide inhalation suspension requires you to use a nebulizer device to receive doses. (A nebulizer device turns the liquid suspension into a mist that you inhale.) You may need to purchase this device separately. So, in some cases, the inhalation suspension may cost more than other forms of budesonide.

Other factors can also cause the drug’s forms to differ in cost. Examples include the condition the medication is being used to treat, your treatment plan, and whether you have insurance.

If you have questions about budesonide’s cost or forms, talk with your doctor or insurance provider (if you have one). They can tell you the exact cost of your medication.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about budesonide

This article provides cost information related to budesonide. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for budesonide.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Is my cost for budesonide affected by how often I take it?
• Are other medications available to treat my condition that cost less than budesonide?
• Does my insurance cover the cost of budesonide rectal foam?

Resources

• Budesonide (enteric coated)- budesonide capsule, delayed release pellets. (2019). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c5d97b04-e206-4325-e053-2a95a90ab610/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.