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Budesonide Coupon - Budesonide 3mg capsule

budesonide

Generic Entocort
Used for Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis
Used for Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis

Budesonide is a corticosteroid that's used to treat mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease in adults and children. It's available as capsules that are taken by mouth once daily. The most common side effects are headache and respirator infections. More rarely, it might cause weight gain too.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on March 27, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Budesonide?

What is Budesonide used for?

How Budesonide works

Budesonide is a corticosteroid. It works to lessen inflammation (swelling and irritation) in your intestines (bowels). This helps lessen symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Are you looking for information on budesonide tablets (Uceris) for ulcerative colitis instead?
When does Budesonide start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsEntocort EC
Drug ClassCorticosteroid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$758.28(save 94.90%)
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What are the side effects of Budesonide?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Treatment of active, mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease:
  • Headache (21%)
  • Infection in your air passageway (respiratory infection; 11%)
  • Nausea (11%)
  • Back pain (7%)
  • Dizziness (7%)
  • Upset stomach or indigestion (6%)
  • Gas (6%)
  • Stomach pain (6%)
  • Vomiting (6%)
  • Feeling tired (5%)
  • Pain (5%)
Maintenance of remission of Crohn’s disease**:
  • Diarrhea (10%)
  • Sinus inflammation (8%)
  • Viral infection (6%)
  • Joint pain (5%)
** Side effects listed are in addition to those observed with treatment of active Crohn's disease.

Other Side Effects

  • Acne
  • Easy bruising
  • Moon face (rounding of the face)
  • Ankle swelling
  • Abnormal hair growth
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Vision changes
  • Larger appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Nervousness
  • Trouble sleeping

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reactions: rash; hives; trouble breathing; swelling of face, lips, or throat
  • Infection: unexplained fever, chills, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, pain, aches, infections that doesn't get better
  • Hormone changes: swelling of the ankles, bruising easily, fatty lump or hump between shoulders

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Body aches or pain

chills

congestion

cough

diarrhea

dryness or soreness of the throat

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

hoarseness

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

nausea

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

shivering

shortness of breath or troubled breathing

sneezing

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

sweating

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness of the chest or wheezing

trouble with sleeping

trouble with swallowing

unusual tiredness or weakness

voice changes

vomiting

Less common

Bruising

darkening of the skin

depression

dizziness

earache

excessive muscle tone

fainting

fractures

large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin

lower back or side pain

muscle stiffness

muscle tension or tightness

painful or difficult urination

redness or swelling in the ear

skin rash

sore mouth or tongue

white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Back pain

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with moving

dry mouth

ear congestion

headache, severe and throbbing

heartburn

indigestion

muscle cramping

neck pain

sleeplessness

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

swollen joints

unable to sleep

unexplained runny nose or sneezing

weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Budesonide

thumbs-up

Pros

Works where you have symptoms in your intestines (gut)

Might cause fewer side effects than other steroids

Taken once a day

Available as a lower-cost generic

thumbs-down

Cons

Not recommended for long-term use

Might not work as well as other steroids like prednisone

Can raise your risk for infections

Can take a couple months to see full benefit from the medication

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Budesonide

pharmacist

  • Take budesonide at the same time every day in the morning. You can take budesonide with or without food, but if it's hurting your stomach, try taking the medication with food to help.

    • Swallow budesonide capsules whole. Don't crush or chew them because this could make the medication work in a different way than intended.

      • If you have trouble swallowing the budesonide capsule whole, you can open the capsule, sprinkle the contents onto 1 tablespoon of applesauce, and mix them together in a clean container. Swallow the mixture (don't chew it) within 30 minutes of preparing. Drink a full glass (8 oz) of cool water right afterwards to make sure you've taken all of the medication.

        • Make sure to tell your healthcare team and pharmacist about all of the medications you're taking. Some medications can interact with budesonide and these interactions can raise your risk for side effects.

          • Budesonide can weaken your immune system and raise your risk for infections. Let your gastroenterologist or primary care provider know about any night sweating, unexplained fevers, or infections that don't get better while you're taking this medication. Try to avoid people who are sick and regularly wash your hands to prevent infection.

            • Budesonide can potentially affect your bone density and raise your risk for osteoporosis. Discuss with your gastroenterologist or primary care provider about taking calcium or vitamin D supplements to keep your bones healthy.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Budesonide

              Is budesonide a steroid?
              Yes, budesonide is a steroid. It helps lower how much inflammation there is in your intestines to help treat Crohn's disease.
              Does budesonide cause weight gain?
              Yes, it's well known that steroids like budesonide can cause weight gain. Weight gain is more likely the longer you take steroids. It might be related to the way that steroids can make your appetite larger, change how your body processes sugar and fat, and make your body hold onto more water. To lower your risk for weight gain while you're taking budesonide, make sure to eat balanced and nutritious meals and regularly exercise. Contact your gastroenterologist or primary care provider if you're concerned about any weight changes while you're taking budesonide.
              What are the long-term side effects of budesonide?
              One of the long-term side effects of steroids like budesonide can include a higher risk of infections. In clinical studies, up to 11% of people who took budesonide reported having a respiratory infection. It's important to seek help from your primary care provider or from urgent care if you have symptoms of an infection, such as fever, chills, weakness, or shortness of breath, so you can be examined. Another long-term side effect of steroids is eye problems like cataracts or glaucoma, which can lead to changes in vision. Your healthcare professional (HCP) might recommend that you have routine eye exams with your optometrist during treatment with budesonide.
              Can budesonide cause withdrawal?
              You might be less likely to experience steroid withdrawal with budesonide than with other corticosteroids. This might be because unlike other corticosteroids, most of budesonide stays in the gut and isn't absorbed into your body. It also might be the reason why you can potentially experience withdrawal when you're switching to budesonide from another steroid medication. To lessen the risk for withdrawal while you're switching steroids, you might need to take both budesonide and the other steroid medication for some time until you can safely stop the other steroid medication.
              Can budesonide cause constipation?
              In clinical studies, constipation wasn't a reported side effect of budesonide. Additionally, it's not a typical side effect of steroid medications. Let your gastroenterologist know if you're constipated after you start taking budesonide. They might recommend over-the-counter treatments like polyethylene glycol (Miralax).
              Can I take budesonide at night?
              It's best to take budesonide in the morning. While most of the medication doesn't get absorbed into your body, a little bit of it still can. So if you take budesonide at night, it might make you have trouble sleeping at night. Ask your gastroenterologist about taking budesonide at a time that works for you if you can't take it in the morning.
              Is budesonide safe in pregnancy?
              Studies show that budesonide can be a safe option for treating Crohn's disease during pregnancy. But because there isn't much clinical evidence, it's best to let your gastroenterologist know that you're pregnant before you start budesonide. Your gastroenterologist can discuss the risks and benefits of taking the medication while pregnant.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Budesonide?

              Budesonide can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Changes in stress hormone levels in the body

              • Risk factors: Taking budesonide for a long time | Taking higher doses of budesonide | Children | Liver problems

                Corticosteroids such as budesonide act like the stress hormone your body naturally makes. When you take higher corticosteroid doses or take the medication for a long time, your body can start to make less of its own stress hormones and rely more on the corticosteroid medication instead. This can cause changes in the stress hormone levels in your body.

                When you're taking corticosteroids at higher doses or for a long period of time, it's possible for you to have steroid side effects like acne, easy bruising, rounding of the face, swollen ankles, larger appetite, and weight gain.

                And if you stop taking budesonide all of a sudden, you might have symptoms of low stress hormone levels, such as weakness, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms happen because the body hasn't had enough time to start making its own stress hormones again. But they should go away over time as your body's natural stress hormone level returns back to normal. Your prescriber will give you instructions to safely stop budesonide, if needed.

                risk-warning

                Higher risk of infections

                Taking budesonide can weaken your immune system and raise your risk of infections. Speak to a healthcare professional or your primary care provider if you think you might have a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection. Also, let them know if you've recently traveled to areas that have a high risk for any type of infections. Contact your primary care provider or urgent care if you start to have any symptoms of an infection, including fever, tiredness, chills, cough, or trouble breathing.

                risk-warning

                Worsening of certain medical conditions

                • Risk factors: High blood pressure | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Osteoporosis (bone weakening) | Stomach ulcer | Glaucoma | Cataracts | Family history of diabetes or glaucoma

                  Corticosteroids like budesonide can worsen certain conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, stomach ulcers, and glaucoma. Tell your gastroenterologist about your full medical history so they're aware whether they need to monitor you more closely while you're taking budesonide. Your gastroenterologist will speak to you about what signs and symptoms to look out for and when to get medical care.

                  dosage

                  Budesonide dosage forms

                  The average cost for 90 capsules of 3mg of Budesonide is $38.70 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 94.9% off the average retail price of $758.28.
                  capsule
                  Capsule
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  3mg90 capsules$38.70$0.43

                  Typical dosing for Budesonide

                  • Active, mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease:

                    • Adults: The typical dose is 9 mg by mouth once a day in the morning for up to 8 weeks. You can repeat this 8-week course of treatment for recurring episodes of Crohn's disease.

                    • Children ages 8 to 17 years who weigh more than 55 lbs: The typical dose is 9 mg by mouth once a day in the morning for up to 8 weeks, followed by 6 mg by mouth once a day in the morning for 2 weeks.

                  • Maintenance of remission of Crohn's disease:

                    • Adults: The typical dose is 6 mg by mouth once a day in the morning for up to 3 months. Then, follow your prescriber's instructions to safely lower your dose.

                  Your dose might differ if you have liver problems.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Budesonide and other drugs

                  Budesonide may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Budesonide. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Budesonide?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Budesonide. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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                  latest news

                  What is the latest news about Budesonide?

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. (2023). Budesonide- budesonide capsule, delayed release [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  Beaulieu, D. B., et al. (2009). Budesonide induction and maintenance therapy for Crohn's disease during pregnancy. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

                  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Travel health notices.

                  View All References (7)

                  Greenberg, G. R., et al. (1994). Oral budesonide for active Crohn's disease. The New England Journal of Medicine.

                  Lichtenstein, G. R., et al. (2018). ACG clinical guideline: Management of Crohn’s disease in adults. The American Journal of Gastroenterology.

                  McKeage, K., et al. (2002). Budesonide (Entocort EC capsules): A review of its therapeutic use in the management of active Crohn's disease in adults. Drugs.

                  MedlinePlus. (2024). Bone density.

                  Miehlke, S., et al. (2018). Oral budesonide in gastrointestinal and liver disease: A practical guide for the clinician. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

                  O'Donnell, S., et al. (2010). Therapeutic benefits of budesonide in gastroenterology. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease.

                  Restellini, S., et al. (2020). Update on the management of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Digestion.

                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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