Budesonide (Oral)

About Budesonide (Oral)

This belongs to the group of medicines known as corticosteroids.

Budesonide can be used to help treat Crohn's disease

When a patient suffers from Crohn's disease parts of the gut become inflamed. This causes pain, diarrhoea, ulcers and can block the gut or prevent absorption of nutrients from food. The cause of this inflammation is not fully understood. Patients with Crohn's disease will experience flare-ups when the symptoms are worse. They may then have few or no symptoms for a while until the next flare-up.

Budesonide reduces inflammation in the gut and therefore helps to relieve the symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Budesonide is available in capsule form. The capsules contain specially coated particles that do not start to break down until they have travelled through the stomach and have reached the small intestine. This means they start to work in the area of the gut where it is inflamed.

It is also sometimes known as: Budenofalk; Entocort. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Taking Budesonide

Before taking Budesonide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you have suffered stress, trauma or had surgery or are about to have an operation
• if you have septicaemia, TB (tuberculosis), or have a family history of these conditions
• if you are suffering from any kind of infections including chicken pox, shingles or measles or have been in contact with anyone who has them
• if you suffer from high blood pressure, epilepsy or heart problems or have a family history of these conditions
• if you suffer from liver or kidney problems
• if you suffer from diabetes mellitus or glaucoma or have a family history of these conditions
• if you suffer from osteoporosis or if you are a woman who has gone through the menopause
• if you have been taking any other steroids
• if you suffer from psychoses or have a family history of mental problems
• if you suffer from myasthenia gravis (muscle weakening disease)
• if you suffer from peptic ulcer or any gastrointestinal disorder or have a history of these conditions
• if you have recently had a vaccination or are about to have one
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Budesonide

• Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Try to take this medicine at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue taking it at the usual times. If it is nearly time for your next dose, leave out the missed dose, never take two doses at the same time to make up. If in doubt speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
• DO NOT stop taking Budesonide without speaking to your doctor first. Your doctor will want you to reduce your dose slowly before you stop.
• You must follow the printed instructions you have been given with your medication.
• Each dose of Budesonide must be taken half to one hour before food. If taking as a single dose take it before breakfast.
• Swallow the capsules whole, not chewed or crushed.
• Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time as Budesonide.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of Budesonide contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside Budesonide.
• If you come into contact with anyone who has measles, shingles or chicken pox or suspects they might have them, you must see your doctor as soon as possible.
• If you have been given a steroid treatment card, carry it with you at all times.
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking Budesonide.

Can Budesonide cause problems?

Along with their needed effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your pharmacist or doctor if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Indigestion, muscle cramps, shaking, fast or fluttering heartbeat, nervousness, blurred vision, rash, itching, irregular periods or no periods at all, bloating, thrush, muscle wasting of the upper arms and legs, feeling tired, weakness, constipation, weight gain, hair growth, increased appetite, euphoria (feeling high), depression, problems sleeping, eye infections, thinning of the skin, bruising, stretch marks, patches of red skin, acne, swollen ankles, nausea (feeling sick), malaise (general feeling of being unwell) or hiccups.

If you are likely to be prescribed Budesonide for a long time, then your doctor may also prescribe an additional medicine to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis) which is a recognised side effect of steroids.

If you experience any other worrying side effects, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store Budesonide

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS 2005   Updated: 19/01/2005