Generic Name: Budesonide (byoo-DESS-oh-nide)
Brand Name: Pulmicort Turbuhaler
Use caution if you switch from an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) to Budesonide Powder. It may take several months for your body to make enough natural steroids to handle events that cause physical stress. Such events may include injury, surgery, infection, loss of blood electrolytes, or a sudden asthma attack. These may be severe and sometimes fatal. Contact your doctor right away if any of these events occur. You may need to take an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) again.
Carry a card at all times that says you may need an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) if any of these events occur.
Budesonide Powder is used for:
Preventing asthma in adults and children 6 years of age or older. It may also be used in patients who require oral corticosteroid medicine. It is not used to relieve an asthma attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Budesonide Powder is an inhaled corticosteroid. It works by decreasing the irritation and swelling of the breathing tubes (bronchioles) of the lung to control or prevent asthma symptoms.
Do NOT use Budesonide Powder if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Budesonide Powder
- you are having an acute asthma attack
- you are taking mifepristone
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Budesonide Powder:
Some medical conditions may interact with Budesonide Powder. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have glaucoma; cataracts; a herpes eye infection; a bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infection; diarrhea; measles; tuberculosis; chicken pox; or shingles
- if you have had a positive TB skin test or have recently been vaccinated
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Budesonide Powder. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Budesonide Powder's effectiveness
- Clarithromycin, steroidal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), or imidazole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole) because they may increase the risk of Budesonide Powder's side effects
- Ritodrine or live vaccines because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Budesonide Powder
- Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Budesonide Powder
- Mifepristone because risk of side effects may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Budesonide Powder may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Budesonide Powder:
Use Budesonide Powder as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Budesonide Powder. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Budesonide Powder must be inhaled through the mouth. Do not breathe out through the inhaler.
- Before using, prime the inhaler by holding the unit in an upright position and turning the grip fully to the right, then fully to the left until it clicks.
- Do not shake the inhaler.
- While inhaling, hold the inhaler in an upright position (mouthpiece on top) during loading in order to provide the correct dose. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and inhale forcefully and deeply.
- Rinse the mouth with water (without swallowing) after each use to help prevent mouth or throat infections.
- Do not bite or chew the mouthpiece.
- Even though you do not sense or taste the powder, you should still be getting the right dose.
- Improvement in asthma control can occur within 24 hours of beginning treatment; the maximum effect of Budesonide Powder may take as long as 1 to 2 weeks, or longer. If symptoms do not improve within that period of time, contact your health care provider.
- Do not use Budesonide Powder with a spacer.
- Keep the inhaler clean and dry at all times.
- If you miss a dose of Budesonide Powder, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Budesonide Powder.
Important safety information:
- It may take several days for Budesonide Powder to work. Do not stop using Budesonide Powder without checking with your doctor.
- Budesonide Powder will not stop an asthma attack. Always carry appropriate medicine (eg, bronchodilator inhaler) in case you have an asthma attack. Contact your doctor immediately if your bronchodilator does not help you to breathe normally.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Budesonide Powder before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Budesonide Powder.
- Use caution if you switch from an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) to Budesonide Powder. It may take several months for your body to make enough natural steroids to handle events that cause physical stress. Such events may include injury, surgery, infection, loss of blood electrolytes, or a sudden asthma attack. These may be severe and sometimes fatal. Contact your doctor right away if any of these events occur. You may need to take an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) again. Carry a card at all times that says you may need an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) if any of these events occur.
- Budesonide Powder may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does.
- Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Budesonide Powder. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
- Lab tests, including adrenal function assessment, may be performed while you use Budesonide Powder. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Budesonide Powder.
- Budesonide Powder should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old. Budesonide Powder should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN 6 to 17 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Budesonide Powder while you are pregnant. It is unknown if Budesonide Powder is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Budesonide Powder, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
If symptoms of WITHDRAWAL occur when switching from an oral medicine to an inhaled one (muscle and joint pain, exhaustion; depression), contact your health care provider at once.
Possible side effects of Budesonide Powder:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bad taste in mouth; back pain; cough; fever; headache; hoarseness; indigestion; nausea; pain; throat irritation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); ear infection; fainting; increased wheezing; infection (fever, chills, sore throat); mental/mood changes; severe dizziness; shortness of breath after using Budesonide Powder; sinus infection; sudden weight loss; tightness in the lungs; vomiting; white patches in mouth or on throat.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/DNN/), or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Budesonide Powder:Store Budesonide Powder at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Replace the cover after each use. Do not puncture, break, or burn the canister even if it appears to be empty. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Budesonide Powder out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Budesonide Powder, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Budesonide Powder is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Budesonide Powder. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: February 1, 2012
Database Edition 12.1.1.002
Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
More Budesonide resources
- Budesonide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Budesonide Drug Interactions
- Budesonide Support Group
- 22 Reviews for Budesonide - Add your own review/rating
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