Budesonide capsules

Budesonide capsules are used to ease flare-ups of some bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease. Budesonide is a corticosteroid hormone that works by calming the body's immune system, and reducing inflammation in the gut. In this way budesonide decreases symptoms such as pain and diarrhoea. It does not cure these conditions.

• The usual dose of budesonide is 9 milligrams (3 capsules) once a day for 8 weeks.  The dose is usually reduced for the last 2-4 weeks of treatment.
• Always take your budesonide exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much budesonide to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.

• Take budesonide once a day, in the morning. Budesonide is best taken about 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
• Swallow your capsules, with a glass of water. Do not break, chew or crush the capsules. Budesonide capsules are designed to release the medication slowly in the lower part of the small bowel and the first part of the large bowel. Breaking, chewing or crushing the capsules will cause all the contents to be released at once and will increase your chance of side effects. 
• If you do have trouble swallowing, the capsules can be opened, and the contents mixed with apple sauce and taken straight away. It is important not to crush or chew the contents of the capsules.
• If you forget your dose now and again, it is not necessary to make up for the dose you missed. Just take the next dose at the right time. Do not take double the dose.
• Keep taking budesonide. It may take 2 to 4 weeks before you get the full effect.
• Do not stop taking budesonide suddenly; speak to your doctor before stopping. Often you will need to take a lower dose in the last 2 to 4 weeks before you stop the medication.

• It is best not to drink grapefruit juice while you are taking budesonide. A natural chemical in grapefruit juice increases the amount of budesonide in your bloodstream, which can increase your chance of side-effects.
• It is important to tell any health professional taking care of you that you are taking budesonide.
• Taking budesonide can increase your risk of all types of infections. Tell your doctor if you come into contact with someone who has a contagious illness such as chickenpox, measles, or if you feel unwell.

• Do you have problems with your heart?
• Do you have diabetes?
• Do you have asthma?
• Do you have glaucoma?
• Do you have sotmach ulcers?
• Do you have osteoporosis?
• Do you have epilepsy?
• Do you have problems with your liver or kidneys?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Are you planning to have any vaccinations? Or, are you taking any other medicines? This includes any medicines you buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.

If so, it’s important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start budesonide. Sometimes a medicine isn’t suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with extra care.

Like all medicines, budesonide can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

The following links provide further information on budesonide:

Entocort®(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet

Crohn's disease | Mate whēkau pauku
Ulcerative colitis | Mate kōpiro nui

1. Budesonide (systemic use)(external link) New Zealand Formulary