budesonide
Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) is an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray for adults and children age 6 years and older. It's a corticosteroid that relieves nasal allergy symptoms, such as runny or stuffy nose, itchy nose, and sneezing. Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) is sprayed into each nostril once per day. Side effects can include nose bleeds and irritation in the nose. This medication is available as a generic.
What is Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)?
What is Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) used for?
Nasal allergy symptoms (e.g., runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose, sneezing)
How Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) works
Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) is an intranasal corticosteroid. When it's sprayed into the nose, the medication lowers inflammation in your nose. This helps relieve seasonal allergy symptoms like stuffy or runny nose, itchy nose, and sneezing.
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What are the side effects of Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)?
Common Side Effects
- Bloody nose (8%)
- Sore throat (4%)
Other Side Effects
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Irritation in the nose
Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reaction: hives; rash; swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing
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
dryness or soreness of the throat
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
hoarseness
joint pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
shivering
shortness of breath or troubled breathing
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
dizziness
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
ear congestion
headache, severe and throbbing
indigestion
muscle cramping
neck pain
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 of Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)
Pros
First-choice medication for treating nasal allergy symptoms
Only used once per day
Available over the counter
Can be used for children as young as 6 years old
Cons
Might cause nose bleeds
Might take up to 2 weeks to feel the full benefits from the medication
Not meant for relieving nasal symptoms related to the common cold
Pharmacist tips for Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)
Your symptoms should start to get better within a day after you start using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy). But it can take about 2 weeks of daily use to get the most relief. Speak with a healthcare professional for recommendations if you're not feeling better after 2 weeks of using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) every day.
Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) can raise your risk for having a nose bleed. To stop a nose bleed, sit upright and lean forward. Pinch the soft part of your nose above your nostrils for at least 10 minutes while you breathe through your mouth. Get medical help right away if the bleeding is hard to stop or if you feel dizzy.
Each bottle of budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) contains 120 sprays. Don't use the bottle after 120 sprays, even if there's some medication left inside. Additional sprays won't have the correct amount of medication you'll need for a full dose.
Store budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) at room temperature in the original container to protect it from light.
Even though you spray budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) into the nose, it can still interact with many other medications. Ask a member of your care team whether it's safe for you to use budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) if you take other medications.
How to use budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) nasal spray:
Be sure to prime each new bottle of budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) that you use. Shake the bottle well and spray 8 times into the air away from your face.
Review the steps on how to use nasal sprays like budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy). Shake the bottle well before you spray the medication into the nose. Contact a member of your care team if you have any questions.
Before using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), blow your nose to clear your nostrils. This makes sure there's nothing blocking the medication's way when it's sprayed into the nose.
After using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), avoid blowing your nose for at least 15 minutes so the medication can stay in your nose.
If you haven't used budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) for 2 days in a row or for 2 weeks, you'll need to reprime the bottle. Spray into the air away from your face until you see a fine mist come out.
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What are the risks and warnings for Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)?
Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) 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.
Nose bleeds, discomfort, and injury
Risk factors: Nasal surgery | Injury to the nose | Ulcers in the nose
Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) can sometimes cause nose bleeds. Some people also had damage in the nose after using this medication. This damage can sometimes lead to serious injuries to the bony cartilage between your nostrils (the nasal septum). Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) can also make it more difficult for any injuries or damage to the inside of the nose to heal.
Contact your primary care provider if you experience painful discomfort in your nose, have regular nosebleeds, hear a whistling sound from your nose when you breathe, or have painful sores in your nose as you use budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy).
Risk of infection
Risk factors: Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) for several months | Taking other medications that weakens your immune system | Currently have an infection
Corticosteroids like budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) can weaken your immune system and raise your risk for getting an infection. These infections can include fungal infections in the nose or throat area, which are more likely to happen when you use corticosteroid nasal sprays for several months. Other possible infections include viral infections like chickenpox. Once you develop an infection, you might have a harder time recovering from your illness.
Although there haven't been any reports of serious infections linked directly with budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy), be on the lookout for any signs of infection while you're using this medication. Stop using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) and contact your primary care provider if you have a fever, pain, aches, or chills, pain while swallowing, redness in the mouth, or white patches in your nose or throat. You might need to stop using Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) and take prescribed medication to treat the infection.
Altered stress hormone levels
Risk factors: Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) for a long time | Using too much of budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)
Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) for long periods of time or using too much of it can cause more medication to get absorbed into the body. This can affect your body in different ways since corticosteroids like budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) act similarly to cortisol, a natural stress hormone made by your body.
When your body absorbs more of the medication than intended, you might experience symptoms of too much cortisol. These symptoms include weight gain around your gut, fatty deposits around your face and upper back, and fat loss around the arms and legs.
On the other hand, budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) can also cause your body to make less natural cortisol. Symptoms of low cortisol include muscle weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
If either problem is severe enough, you might need additional medical treatment. Use budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) only as directed and don't use more than the maximum number of sprays per day. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time.
Delayed growth in children
Risk factors: Using budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) for longer than 2 months
Corticosteroids like budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) might cause slower growth in children. To lower this risk, children should use the lowest dose of budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) for the shortest amount of time needed to treat their symptoms. Discuss with your child's pediatrician or primary care provider if you're concerned about how budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) might affect your child's growth. Speak with them about whether this medication is right for your child.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) are possible. These reactions can include life-threatening facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Get medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after you use budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy).
Eye and vision problems
Risk factors: History of glaucoma or cataracts | History of high pressure in the eye
Although it's not common, budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) can raise the pressure in your eyes and cause vision problems, including glaucoma or cataracts. Talk to your optometrist (eye specialist) before you use budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) if you have glaucoma or cataracts. Contact your optometrist if you notice any concerning changes to your vision while you're using the medication.
Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6g of 32mcg | 1 nasal spray | $10.16 | $10.16 |
Typical dosing for Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)
Each spray provides 32 mcg of budesonide.
Age 12 years and older: The typical starting dose is 2 sprays into each nostril once per day. Once your allergy symptoms get better, you can use 1 spray into each nostril once per day.
Age 6 to under 12 years: The typical starting dose is 1 spray into each nostril once per day. If allergy symptoms don't get better, you can use 2 sprays in each nostril once per day. Then once allergy symptoms get better, you can go back to 1 spray in each nostril once per day.
Age under 6 years: Ask your child's pediatrician or primary care provider.
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How much does Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy) cost?
What are alternatives to Budesonide (Rhinocort Allergy)?
Nasal allergy symptoms (e.g., runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy nose, sneezing)
Congestion
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Hay fever and allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose)
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References
Best studies we foundAmerisource Bergen. (2024). Budesonide spray, metered [package insert]. DailyMed.
AstraZeneca LP. (2010). Rhinocort Aqua 32 mcg (budesonide) Nasal Spray [package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
McNEIL-PPC, Inc. (2015). Rhinocort allergy spray.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Symptoms & causes of adrenal insufficiency & Addison's disease.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (1999). Rhinocort® Aqua™ (budesonide) nasal spray 32 mcg and 64 mcg: Unannotated proposed package insert.
You and Your Hormones. (2019). Cortisol.
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