Pulmicort Respules

• Risk factor: Not rinsing mouth after using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules)

There's a chance of fungal infections, such as thrush in the mouth and throat, while using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules). The risk is higher if your child doesn't rinse their mouth right after using this medication. Symptoms of oral thrush include white patches on the inside of the mouth, mouth redness or soreness, and pain while eating or swallowing. If your child develops thrush in their mouth, let their provider know right away. Your child will need to take an antifungal medication to treat the infection.

• Risk factor: Using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) during asthma attacks or severe episodes of asthma

Although rare, budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) can worsen symptoms of asthma by tightening the airways. This medical condition is called paradoxical bronchospasm and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. If your child feels more wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing after using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules), stop this medication right away and speak to your child's provider.

In addition, budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) shouldn't be used to treat asthma attacks or any severe episodes of asthma. Your child should only use a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol (ProAir), to treat asthma attacks. If your child's rescue inhaler isn't working well to control their symptoms, let the provider know because your child might need additional medications, such as steroid pills.

• Risk factor: History of allergy to medications containing budesonide

In some rare cases, budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) can cause allergic reactions, which can be life-threatening. Don't use this medication if your child has a history of allergy to medications containing budesonide. Watch out for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, such as wheezing, dizziness, fainting, rash, itching, trouble breathing, and swelling of the tongue or throat. Get medical attention right away if your child has any of these reactions.

• Risk factors: Active, chronic (long-term), or recurrent infection | Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking other medications that can weaken the immune system

Budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) can lower your child's ability to fight infections. Infections, such as tuberculosis (TB), chickenpox, and measles, can be more serious in people who use budesonide (Pulmicort Respules). If your child has any of the risk factors listed above, discuss with their provider about how they can safely use this medication. Don't use budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) if your child has an active infection or an infection that keeps coming back without speaking with their provider first. Budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) can make these infections worse. Let your child's provider know right away if they have signs or symptoms of an infection, such as fever, cough, white patches in your mouth, or sore throat.

• Risk factors: Long-term use of oral steroids | Suddenly stopping prednisone 20 mg or equivalent dose of steroid for treatment of asthma | History of asthma

When switching from an oral to an inhaled steroid, your child's provider might closely observe your child for withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, tiredness, weakness, or muscle and joint pain. This is because switching between different forms of steroids can affect the cortisol levels in your child's body. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that controls blood sugar, blood pressure, and other important functions in your child's body. It also helps the body respond to stressful situations, such as trauma, surgery, and infection. Don't switch between steroids without proper guidance from your child's provider. Let their provider know if your child develops any symptoms, such as tiredness, weakness, loss of energy, nausea, vomiting, or low blood pressure.

If your child has used oral steroids for long periods of time and has asthma, it's important to carry a warning card with you that states that your child might need steroid pills during an asthma attack. In these cases, a rescue inhaler alone might not be enough to treat their asthma attack. So it's important that those taking care of your child are aware of their situation. Your child's provider might also perform tests to monitor your child's lung function and breathing more closely.

• Risk factors: Using high potency steroids | Using steroids for a long period of time | Using oral steroids | Stressful events (e.g., surgery) | Young children

In very rare cases, using inhaled budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) for a long time can cause a medical condition called adrenal suppression. This happens when your adrenal gland doesn't make enough of steroid hormones for your body, which creates a dependence on steroid medication. If you suddenly stop the medication, it can be dangerous to your body. In adults, symptoms of withdrawal include fever, joint or muscle pain, and low energy. In children, symptoms often include stunted growth, weight gain, and headaches. To prevent adrenal suppression from happening, your child's provider will prescribe the lowest possible dose of budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) that works well for your child for the shortest amount of time. If your child needs to use budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) for a long period of time, their provider might ask them to do some lab work to test how well their adrenal gland works. Let your child's provider know if your child has symptoms of withdrawal. Don't suddenly stop using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) without talking to their provider first.

• Risk factors: Using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) long term | Unable to move for a long period of time | Family history of osteoporosis | Poor diet | Using medications that can cause bone loss

People taking budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) for a long time might be at risk of bone loss or poor growth. If your child has any of the risk factors listed above, they might be more likely to experience weaken bones or slowed growth after using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) long-term. Your child's provider might measure your child's bone density regularly to make sure their bones are healthy. If your child has had bone fractures before, talk to your child's provider about their risk before using this medication.

• Risk factors: Long-term use of budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) | History of eye problems like glaucoma or cataracts

Using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules) for a long time can raise eye pressure, worsen glaucoma, and cause cataracts (cloudiness in the eyes). Talk to your child's provider right away if they experience blurry vision, eye discomfort, or other changes in their vision after using budesonide (Pulmicort Respules). Your child might need an eye exam.