What is Budesonide Used to Treat & What are its Dosage, Side Effects?

Budesonide is a steroid medication which acts as an antiinflammatory and decreases inflammation. Budesonide can be taken in two ways, inhaler and oral. An individual should not take Budesonide if he or she is allergic to it or has had the following tuberculosis, compromised immune system, hypertension, liver dysfunction, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, eczema, diabetes or glaucoma. It should also be noted that a female should not breast feed while on Budesonide.

What is Budesonide Inhaler Used to Treat?: This medication is used to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks in an individual. For Budesonide inhaler to work, it should be taken every day till the doctor asks to discontinue. In retrospect, a Budesonide inhaler will not work to treat an asthma attack which has already begun.

Budesonide works by preventing inflammation in the lungs thus reducing the severity of an asthma attack. This medication can also be used with the normal medications given to control asthma attacks.

Side Effects of Budesonide Inhalers: Some of the common side effects of Budesonide Inhaler are: Body aches, cough, diarrhea, congestion, dryness of throat, fever, general sense of malaise, frequent headaches, appetite loss, muscle pains, nausea with or without vomiting, shortness of breath, persistent sweating, sore throat, frequent sneezing episodes, wheezing, dysphagia, problems with sleep, or changes in voice.

Some of the rare side effects of Budesonide Inhaler are: Easy bruising, skin discoloration, depression, dizziness, syncopal spells, back pain, muscle stiffness, problems with urination, skin rashes, or redness in the ears.

What is Budesonide Oral Used to Treat?: The oral form of Budesonide is used to control the symptoms of conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn Disease. It should be noted that this medication does not treat these conditions but only calms down the symptoms. It works by suppressing the immune response of the body to control the symptoms of these conditions.

Side Effects of Budesonide Oral: The side effects of Oral Budesonide are quite few and include nausea, heartburn, and headache which go away as the body adjusts to the medication; however, if the side effects worsen then a visit to a physician may be required.

Since Budesonide suppresses the immune system, an individual taking this medication regularly becomes vulnerable to infections. Hence it is mandatory for people to speak to their doctors if they feel that they have an infection or if an existing infection is getting worse. Prolonged use of this medication may cause yeast infection or oral thrush.

Dosage: The dosage for Budesonide varies depending on whether it is being given to a child or an adult. The age of the individual along with overall health status is taken into consideration before deciding on the dosage of the medication. Below mentioned are the standard dosages of both Budesonide Inhaler and Oral forms.

With the Flexhaler form of Budesonide inhaler, the initial dose is 360 mcg twice a day; however, in some people initial dose of 180 mcg twice a day is good enough. For maintenance, increase the dose in two weeks if not getting the desired effect from the medication up to maximum of 7290 mcg two times a day. Start reducing the dose once appropriate response has been achieved to prevent any unwanted side effects.

With the Turbuhaler form, the initial dose is 400 to 2400 mcg in divided doses with maintenance dose of 200 to 400 mcg twice a day. In some people higher may be required to get appropriate response from the medication.

For age 1 to 8 years: The dosage of budesonide inhaler for children depends on the medication they have been for treating asthma before. If they have been on just bronchodilators, then 0.5 mg oral inhalation once a day or 0.25 mg oral inhalation twice a day for a maximum of 0.5 mg per day. If previously treated with inhaled corticosteroids then 0.5 mg once a day or 0.25 mg twice a day can be given which can increased up to 0.5 mg twice a day if required for a maximum dose of 1 mg per day. If previously treated with oral steroids then 1 mg once a day or 0.5 mg twice a day for a maximum dose of 1 mg per day.

With the Flexhaler form and age between 6 to 12 years, the initial dose is 180 mcg of oral inhalation twice a day; however, some children may need up to 360 mcg twice a day. The dosage may be increased or decreased based on the response with a maximum dosage of 360 mcg twice a day.

With the Turbuhaler form and age between 6 to 12 years, initial dose should be 100 to 200 mcg of oral inhalation twice a day. For children over 12 years, initial dose is 400 to 2400 mcg of oral inhalation daily in divided doses with maintenance dose of 200 to 400 mcg of oral inhalation twice a day.

Budesonide for Crohn’s Disease (Adults) is 6 mg once a day in the morning for up to 2-3 months. Once symptom control is achieved, start tapering the medication until completely off of it.

Budesonide for Ulcerative Colitis (Adults) is initial dose of 9 mg once a day in the morning for up to two months.

Budesonide for Crohn’s Disease (Children): For children of age 8 years and above 9 mg orally once a day in the morning for up to two months and then tapering it down to 6 mg orally once a day for another couple of weeks.