Budesonide
About Budesonide
Budesonide is used to relieve symptoms of asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Budesonide contains Budesonide. It works by blocking the production of certain chemical messengers that are involved in allergic and non-allergic-mediated inflammation. Thereby, Budesonide helps treat inflammatory diseases. Budesonide decreases inflammation and irritation in the airways, making breathing easier. Thus, it provides relief from the symptoms of asthma and COPD.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your medical condition. In some cases, Budesonide may cause certain common side effects, including indigestion, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, constipation, gas, vomiting, a stuffy nose, tiredness/weakness, and a sore throat. These side effects generally do not require medical attention and typically subside with time. However, you are advised to consult your doctor if you experience any persistent side effects.
Consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Generally, Budesonide does not alter your ability to drive, but in some cases, it may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Budesonide is recommended for children only with a doctor's advice. The interaction of Budesonide with alcohol is unknown; therefore, consult a doctor if you have any concerns. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and any medications you are taking to rule out potential interactions.
Uses of Budesonide
• Management of Asthma: Budesonide is often used as a maintenance therapy for individuals with asthma to reduce inflammation in the airways and improve breathing.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Budesonide can help manage symptoms and improve lung function in patients with COPD, alleviating breathlessness and wheezing.
• Respiratory Emergencies: In cases of acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases, Budesonide can be utilized to provide prompt relief from inflammation.
• Post-Surgical Airway Management: After certain surgical procedures involving the airways, Budesonide may be used to minimize swelling and ensure a clear airway for recovery.
Medicinal Benefits
- Budesonide contains Budesonide, a corticosteroid that works by reducing inflammation and swelling in the airways. It helps improve breathing, prevent respiratory complications, and maintain healthy lung function.
- Budesonide provides relief in asthma by reducing airway sensitivity, decreasing mucus production, and enhancing airflow to the lungs.
- Budesonide helps patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by easing breathlessness, reducing inflammation, and improving overall lung capacity.
- Budesonide supports recovery during acute respiratory flare-ups by quickly reducing airway obstruction and irritation.
- Budesonide aids post-surgical airway management by minimising swelling and maintaining clear air passages for better breathing.
Directions for Use
- Respule/Transpule is a small plastic container that contains a solution.
- Twist off the top of the respule/transpule and squeeze the solution into the nebuliser.
- This solution is formulated into a fine mist for inhalation.
- Inhale the medicine through the nebuliser's mouthpiece.
Storage
Side Effects of Budesonide
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Stuffy nosee
- Weakness/tiredness
- Sore throat
Drug Warnings
- Do not use Budesonide without a doctor’s advice if you are allergic to its ingredients or have severe liver disease.
- Inform your doctor if you currently have or have a history of tuberculosis, infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, peptic ulcers, glaucoma, cataracts, a weakened immune system, eczema, or any kidney or liver disorders.
- Tell your doctor if you have previously been treated with high-dose or strong cortisone medications.
- Consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Budesonide generally does not affect the ability to drive, but it may occasionally cause dizziness. Avoid driving or operating machinery unless you feel fully alert.
- Use of Budesonide in children is recommended only under strict medical supervision.
- Seek medical advice promptly if you experience any visual disturbances or blurred vision while taking Budesonide.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Budesonide may interact with certain medications, including heart-related drugs (digoxin), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), antibiotics (clarithromycin), anti-epileptic medications (carbamazepine), anti-tuberculosis agents (rifampicin), antacids (cimetidine), anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, cobicistat), and oral contraceptives.
Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit may interact with Budesonide and cause side effects. Hence, avoid grapefruit and its products. Also, it is safe to limit alcohol and caffeine intake.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have/had tuberculosis, an infection, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, peptic ulcers, glaucoma, cataracts, a weak immune system, eczema, or kidney or liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advisable to avoid or limit the intake of alcohol while you use Budesonide as it may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you are pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Budesonide can be used by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionGenerally, Budesonide does not alter your ability to drive, but in some cases, it may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionBudesonide is recommended for children below 12 years only when prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled foods, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, and bottled lemon and lime juice, as they may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Identify your triggers, such as allergens like pollen, dust, and certain food items, that exacerbate your severe asthma.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of Budesonide and irritate the lungs, worsening breathing problems.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
- Budesonide might affect certain test results. Inform the person doing the tests that you are using Budesonide.
- If you are scheduled for surgery or if you need to receive a vaccination, please inform your doctor that you are using Budesonide.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Budesonide is used to relieve symptoms of asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Budesonide decreases inflammation and irritation in the airways and makes it easier to breathe. Thus, it provides relief from the symptoms of asthma and COPD.
Budesonide may cause brittle bones, bone loss, and a decrease in bone density if you use it for a long time. Inform your doctor if you have bone problems before starting Budesonide.
Maintain a gap of two hours between medicines such as cholestyramine (a drug used to treat high cholesterol), antacids and Budesonide as they might increase the effects of Budesonide. However, you are advised to use Budesonide with other medicines only after consulting your doctor.
Grapefruit may alter the effects of Budesonide. Therefore, please avoid using grapefruit and its products while using Budesonide.
To treat your condition effectually, continue using Budesonide for as long as your doctor has advised. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you experience any difficulties while using Budesonide.
Budesonide helps treat cough associated with asthma and COPD. Consult the doctor if you have a normal cough, he/she will prescribe other medicine.
Yes, Budesonide is safe if used as prescribed by the doctor.
Budesonide might increase blood sugar levels. Consult the doctor if you are diabetic.
Yes, Budesonide is effective if used as advised by the doctor. Consult the doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
If you miss a dose of Budesonide take it as soon as you remember, However, if it is almost time for the scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
No, Budesonide should not be used for an acute asthma attack. It is advised to use a rescue inhaler for acute attacks.
Budesonide starts working immediately. However, it might take 1-2 weeks to notice its full effect.
Please consult your doctor before using Budesonide if you are pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Budesonide may side effects like indigestion, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, constipation, gas, vomiting, stuffy nose, tiredness/weakness, and sore throat. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of the side effects persistently.
