Uceris
Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam is a topical corticosteroid. It's used to treat mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. Budesonide (Uceris) is applied rectally with an applicator twice a day for 2 weeks and then once a day for 4 weeks. The most common side effect is low cortisol levels, which might not lead to symptoms but can be detected through blood tests. Other possible side effects of this medication include nausea or trouble sleeping, but these aren't common.
What is Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam?
What is Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam used for?
- Mild-to-moderate distal (left-sided) ulcerative colitis (UC)
How Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam works
Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam is a topical corticosteroid. It's applied rectally to lower inflammation in the rectum and colon. This can help heal ulcers and ease bloody diarrhea.
Drug facts
Side effects of Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
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
- Low blood cortisol levels (17%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia)
- Acne
- Swelling in arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Mood changes
- Itching
- Rash
The following Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam 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
Bruising easily
chills
colds
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
hoarseness
joint pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
shivering
sweating
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Bladder pain
bleeding after defecation
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
burning feeling while urinating
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
changes in vision
cough producing mucus
decreased urine
difficult or labored breathing
difficult or painful urination
dizziness
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth
increase in body movements
increased thirst
increased urge to urinate during the night
irregular heartbeat
lower back or side pain
mood changes
nervousness
pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
pounding in the ears
rectal bleeding
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
seizures
severe constipation
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shivering
skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
slow or fast heartbeat
stomach cramps or pain
sweating
swelling of the legs and feet
swelling or puffiness of the face
tightness in the chest
trouble sleeping
uncomfortable swelling around the anus
upper abdominal or stomach pain
waking to urinate at night
weight gain or loss
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
Belching
blemishes on the skin
indigestion
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
rounded or moon face
stomach discomfort or upset
Less common
Accumulation of pus
agitation
bloated or full feeling
change in hearing
cracked, dry, or scaly skin
cracks in the skin at the corners of mouth
difficulty having a bowel movement
difficulty with moving
dizziness or lightheadedness
ear drainage
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
hair loss or thinning of the hair
increased appetite
increased hair growth, especially on the face
lack or loss of strength
loss of memory
muscle stiffness
nervousness
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
passing gas
pressure in the stomach
problems with memory
redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
sensation of spinning
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
soreness or redness around the fingernails and toenails
swelling of the abdominal or stomach area
swollen joints
uterine bleeding between menstrual periods
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.
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Pros and cons of Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
Pros
- Can lead to remission of UC
- Less side effects than oral steroids
- Kit comes with convenient single-use applicators and disposal bags
Cons
- Can be difficult to use
- The entire treatment course is 6 weeks
- Can cause nausea and other bothersome side effects related to low cortisol levels
Pharmacist tips for Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
- Only use budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam foam into your rectum. Never use it in or on any other part of your body, such as your mouth.
- Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam. Grapefruit can raise the levels of the medication in your body and raise your risk of side effects, such as nausea, weakness, and sleep problems.
- Don't use budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam right before or while preparing for a colonoscopy because it might affect your colonoscopy results. If you have an upcoming colonoscopy, let your healthcare provider know. Once your procedure is over, don't start using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam again without asking your provider.
- Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam contains chemicals (e.g., n-butane, isobutane, and propane) that help the medication come out of the can, but they can easily catch on fire. Avoid using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam around fire or open flames, and don't smoke during or right after using the medication. In the event of a fire, call for emergency help right away.
How to use budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam:
- Make sure you know how to use budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam to avoid hurting yourself or accidentally wasting the medication. Read the instructions for use and ask your gastroenterologist or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Before using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam try to use the bathroom to have a bowel movement. Doing so after your dose can cause you to lose some medication. After using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam in the evening at bedtime, avoid having a bowel movement until the next morning.
- Before using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, remove the safety tab from the pump. Remove 1 applicator from the tray and attach it to the nozzle of the can. Then, line up the notch underneath the pump with the nozzle.
- Warm up the budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam spray canister in your hands by holding it. Then, shake it forcefully for 10 to 15 seconds.
- You can apply budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam standing, sitting, or while lying down. One way recommended by the manufacturer is to put one foot on the ground and raise your other foot onto a hard surface, such as a chair, stool, or bench.
- To use budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, place your pointer finger on top of the pump and turn the can upside down. The can won't work properly if it's upright. Put the applicator inside the rectum and insert it as far as it feels comfortable. Then, use your finger to push down on the pump 1 time and hold it for 2 seconds to release the foam. Make sure you only press down 1 time to avoid receiving too much medication.
- After giving yourself a dose of budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, continue holding the applicator in place for at least 10 to 15 seconds. This make sure the medication reaches all areas of the rectum. When you remove the applicator, it's normal for some foam to come out of the applicator or the anus.
- To throw away the used budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam applicator, remove the applicator from the can and place it in the disposal bag that comes with your medication. Throw the bag away in a trash can that's out of reach from children or pets. If you don't have disposal bags or if you have further questions about proper disposal of your medication, ask your pharmacist.
- After using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, wash your hands with soap and water right away to prevent the medication from coming into contact with other parts of your body.
Common questions about Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
You might notice your UC symptoms improve within 2 weeks of starting budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam. But many people need to complete the full course of treatment (6 weeks) to experience more noticeable benefits of the medication, such as healing of ulcers and ease of rectal bleeding. Keep in mind that not everyone experiences the same results with budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam. Let your gastroenterologist know if you're concerned with how well budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam is working.
Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam is typically used for a total of 6 weeks. It should be used twice per day for the first 2 weeks, then once per day for the remaining 4 weeks. Your gastroenterologist or primary care provider will give you instructions of how to take this medication.
No, budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam doesn't typically cause constipation as a side effect. Nor is constipation a typical symptom of ulcerative colitis. Let your gastroenterologist or primary care provider know if you're constipated because this could be a sign of a a different stomach problem.
Yes, budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam is available as a lower-cost generic.
Both Entocort EC and Uceris contain the same active ingredient, budesonide, but they're two completely different medications. Uceris is available as an oral capsule and rectal foam that's used for ulcerative colitis. Entocort EC, on the other hand, is available only as an oral capsule and used for Crohn's disease.
No, it's best to avoid drinking alcohol if you've ulcerative colitis. While alcohol is unlikely to directly interact with budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, it can worsen UC symptoms. If you've been drinking alcohol regularly and it's difficult for you to stop, ask your gastroenterologist what's a safe amount to drink.
If you're pregnant, ask your healthcare team if you can use budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam. There isn't enough information to know if budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam is safe to use during pregnancy. But animal studies suggest that budesonide caused harm to mothers and their unborn babies. If you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits of using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam with your healthcare team.
There isn't enough information to know if using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam rectal foam is safe to use while breastfeeding. Studies of inhaled budesonide suggest that it can pass into breast milk. If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, speak to your provider about the risks and benefits of using this medication.
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Risks and warnings for Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam 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.
Changes in cortisol levels
- Risk factors: Long-term use of budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
Using corticosteroids, like budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, can cause your body to make less of its own stress hormones. This is more likely to happen if you use higher corticosteroid doses or use this type of medication for a long time. If you stop using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam all of a sudden, you might experience symptoms of low stress hormone, such as weakness, nausea, and diarrhea. This problem is usually temporary and your body's natural stress hormone level should return to normal over time. Let your gastroenterologist know if you're experiencing symptoms of low cortisol.
Withdrawal after switching from a different steroid
- Risk factors: Switching from oral corticosteroids to budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
Switching to budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam from another steroid, especially a pill, can cause withdrawal symptoms and raise the pressure in your brain. For your safety, don't switch between steroids without the guidance of your healthcare provider. Your provider might slowly lower the dose of your steroid pill and monitor your cortisol levels as you switch over to budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam.
Replacing steroid pills with budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam can also cause your allergies or eczema to come back. Steroid pills can control allergy symptoms and eczema, but budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam won't. This is because budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam doesn't work inside your body like a pill. If this concerns you, let your gastroenterologist know.
Higher risk of infection
- Risk factors: Weakened immune system | History of frequent infections | History of tuberculosis (TB) | Current infection | Taking medications that weaken the immune system
Using budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam can weaken your immune system and raise your risk of infections. This can potentially worsen any infections you already have, such as a viral or fungal infection. If you have chickenpox, or tuberculosis (TB), or come into contact with someone who has one of these infections, call your gastroenterologist or primary care provider right away because you'll need to be treated with appropriate medications. Try to avoid exposure to people who have these illnesses, since they can be life-threatening if you catch them while you're taking steroids like budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, especially if you haven't had them before. If you have any symptoms of an infection, such as a fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, body aches, tiredness, or any pain, let your provider know.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: History of high blood pressure | History of diabetes | Osteoporosis | Stomach ulcer | Glaucoma or cataracts
Corticosteroids, such as budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam, can worsen certain medical conditions. It can raise blood pressure and blood sugar. It can also cause bone loss (osteoporosis), stomach ulcers, and eye problems (such as glaucoma or cataracts). If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, or have a family history of any of these conditions, let your gastroenterologist know before starting budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam. Your provider might need to change the dose of your medication(s).
Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam dosage
Typical dosage for Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam
Each pump of budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam contains 2 mg of budesonide.
- Adults: Apply 1 pump into the rectum in the morning and evening (at bedtime) for 2 weeks. Then, apply 1 pump into the rectum once daily at bedtime for 4 more weeks.
Interactions between Budesonide (Uceris) rectal foam and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Balofloxacin
- Bemiparin
- Besifloxacin
- Boceprevir
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bupropion
- Celecoxib
- Ceritinib
- Choline Salicylate
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clonixin
- Cobicistat
- Conivaptan
- Darunavir
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Duvelisib
- Enoxacin
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Fleroxacin
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flumequine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fosnetupitant
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Ibuprofen
- Idelalisib
- Indomethacin
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Larotrectinib
- Lefamulin
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Lorlatinib
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumacaftor
- Lumiracoxib
- Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
- Macimorelin
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Moxifloxacin
- Nabumetone
- Nadifloxacin
- Nadroparin
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Netupitant
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Pranoprofen
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Prulifloxacin
- Ritonavir
- Rofecoxib
- Rufloxacin
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sargramostim
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sparfloxacin
- Sulindac
- Telaprevir
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Tosufloxacin
- Valdecoxib
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.
- Auranofin
- Erythromycin
- Ketoconazole
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