Budesonide

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on July 25, 2023

Budesonide (byoo DES oh nide) is a generic medication prescribed for ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and asthma. Budesonide belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

These approved uses differ based on the form of budesonide your doctor prescribes.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of budesonide. To find coupons for budesonide’s other forms, see the following articles: budesonide inhalation suspension and budesonide extended-release oral tablet.

Common questions about budesonide

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about budesonide.

Is it safe to use budesonide with formoterol?

Yes, it’s safe to use budesonide with formoterol. Formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) that’s used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). LABAs should only be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid, such as budesonide, in people with asthma.

To learn more about using these two medications together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does budesonide come as a nasal spray?

Yes, budesonide comes as a nasal spray. It’s available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.

If you’re interested in using budesonide nasal spray, be sure to read the entire label and follow the instructions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about using this product.

How does budesonide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Budesonide works like the hormone cortisol, which is made naturally in your body. This helps reduce swelling and inflammation. For asthma, it helps relieve swelling in the airways. For ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, it decreases swelling in the digestive system.

How long it takes for budesonide to start working can depend on the form you use. In general, symptoms will start to ease within a week of starting treatment. But it can take 4–6 weeks to see the maximum effect.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with budesonide treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of budesonide

Budesonide may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of budesonide and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about the side effects of budesonide’s inhaled form, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for budesonide listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of budesonide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of budesonide you take or use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about budesonide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Budesonide delayed-release* oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• headache
• indigestion (upset stomach)
• nausea or vomiting
• mild allergic reaction†

Budesonide inhalation suspension’s‡ mild side effects include:

• abdominal pain
• cough
• diarrhea
• nosebleed
• mild allergic reaction†

* Delayed release means the drug is released after it passes through your stomach.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for budesonide” section.
‡ A suspension is a type of liquid mixture.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of budesonide are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of budesonide you take or use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about budesonide’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, budesonide’s serious side effects include:

• changes in the body’s stress response
• increased risk of infection
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for budesonide” section.

Uses of budesonide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as budesonide for certain conditions. Approved uses for budesonide are described below. These uses differ based on the form of budesonide prescribed.

Use for ulcerative colitis

Doctors may prescribe budesonide rectal foam and extended-release* oral tablet for treating ulcerative colitis. It’s used for this purpose in adults and is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With ulcerative colitis, an unusual immune response causes swelling and inflammation in the large intestine. Ulcers (sores) in the intestine can also happen. Budesonide can help relieve these symptoms and cause remission (temporary recovery).

* With extended release, the drug is released over time in your body.

Use for Crohn’s disease

Doctors may prescribe budesonide delayed-release* oral capsule for treating Crohn’s disease. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 8 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Crohn’s disease is another form of IBD. With Crohn’s disease, there’s inflammation and swelling similar to ulcerative colitis. But Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. It most commonly affects the small intestine and the first part of the large intestine. Budesonide can help manage these symptoms and cause remission.

* With delayed release, the drug is released once it passes through your stomach.

Use for asthma

Doctors may prescribe budesonide inhalation suspension* for treating asthma. It’s used for this purpose in children ages 12 months to 8 years. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With asthma, swelling and inflammation in your airways make them narrower than usual. This can make it hard to move air in and out of your lungs. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Budesonide can help reduce airway swelling and relieve asthma symptoms.

Budesonide is prescribed as a maintenance (long-term) drug for asthma. It should not be used as a rescue medication for an asthma attack.

* A suspension is a type of liquid mixture.

Interactions and warnings for budesonide

Below, you’ll find information about budesonide’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of budesonide

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take or use budesonide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for budesonide” section below.

Warnings for budesonide

Some people should not take or use budesonide, and others should take or use it cautiously.

Budesonide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether budesonide is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of budesonide you take or use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for budesonide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Budesonide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to budesonide or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe budesonide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to budesonide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of budesonide

If you take the oral or inhalation forms of budesonide, you should not take or inhale more budesonide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken or inhaled too much budesonide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and budesonide

Information about budesonide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Budesonide and pregnancy

It’s not known whether budesonide should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Budesonide and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether budesonide should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about budesonide or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does budesonide compare to other drugs that could treat my condition?
• Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
• How should I take or use budesonide?

Resources

• Budesonide aerosol, foam. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/ad4a68e7-9200-4f05-8058-714d5d8900f8/spl-doc
• Budesonide capsule, delayed release. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/aa111920-ab55-4eba-9a7d-bf92f82c7ba6/spl-doc
• Budesonide inhalation suspension. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1d139a25-9c17-4b3e-8ffd-b2d562cc00ee/spl-doc
• Budesonide tablet, extended release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b1fa485c-88b4-4aab-aab6-39195c9f4d07/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.