Entocort EC

Generic Name: budesonide (oral) (bue DES oh nide)

Brand Names: Entocort EC

What is budesonide?

Budesonide is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation..

Budesonide is used to treat mild to moderate Crohn's disease.

Budesonide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about budesonide?

While taking budesonide, tell your doctor if you have changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist), high blood pressure, (severe headache, fast or uneven heart rate, blurred vision), or a general ill feeling with headache, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with budesonide and cause increased levels of the medication in your blood. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using budesonide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking budesonide?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to budesonide, or if you have active tuberculosis or any other type of a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

Before taking budesonide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;


• liver disease (including cirrhosis);


• 
  

  stomach ulcer, intestinal bleeding or blockage;

  
  


• 
  

  measles, scarlet fever, or any other condition with a skin rash;

  
  


• 
  

  diverticulitis;

  
  


• 
  

  osteoporosis;

  
  


• 
  

  high blood pressure;

  
  


• 
  

  heart disease or coronary artery disease;

  
  


• 
  

  overactive thyroid;

  
  


• 
  

  mental illness;

  
  


• 
  

  a muscle disorder called myasthenia gravis; or

  
  


• 
  

  a personal or family history of diabetes, glaucoma, or cataract.

  
  

FDA Pregnancy Category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Budesonide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take budesonide?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Budesonide should be taken before a meal.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you take budesonide long term, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using budesonide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Store budesonide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of budesonide is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while taking budesonide?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with budesonide and cause increased levels of the medication in your blood. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using budesonide.

Budesonide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• 
  

  changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist);

  
  


• 
  

  increased blood pressure (severe headache, fast or uneven heart rate, blurred vision); or

  
  


• 
  

  general ill feeling with headache, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

• 
  

  thinning of the skin, easy bruising;

  
  


• 
  

  headache;

  
  


• 
  

  runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat;

  
  


• 
  

  muscle pain;

  
  


• 
  

  mild nausea, stomach pain, indigestion;

  
  


• 
  

  mild skin rash; or

  
  


• 
  

  changes in your menstrual periods.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect budesonide?

Before taking budesonide, tell your doctor if you are also using ketoconazole (Nizoral).

There may be other drugs that can interact with budesonide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Entocort EC resources

• Entocort EC Side Effects (in more detail)
• Entocort EC Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Entocort EC Drug Interactions
• Entocort EC Support Group
• 14 Reviews for Entocort EC - Add your own review/rating

• Entocort EC Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Entocort EC Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Entocort EC Sustained-Release Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Budesonide Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Budesonide Powder MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Budesonide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pulmicort Flexhaler Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Pulmicort Flexhaler Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Pulmicort Respules Suspension MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pulmicort Turbuhaler Powder MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Entocort EC with other medications

• Autoimmune Hepatitis
• Crohn's Disease
• Crohn's Disease, Acute
• Crohn's Disease, Maintenance
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about budesonide.

See also: Entocort EC side effects (in more detail)