Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Budesonide is a medicine in the form of an inhalation powder intended for people suffering from bronchial asthma. Budesonide contains an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, which alleviates the symptoms of asthma and reduces their incidence. Read how to use Budesonide correctly, what are the indications for its use and what can cause side effects.
Budesonide — what kind of drug is it?
Budesonide is a drug used to treat bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has a symptomatic effect and limits the accumulation and adherence of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium. Budesonide also reduces the number of blood cells that cause inflammation. In addition, it plays an important role in the allergic reaction and reduces the production of histamine.
The drug is available in the form of tablets, capsules, inhalation preparation, nasal spray and rectal foam. Thanks to it, the symptoms of inflammation cease, e.g. excessive secretion of mucus in the respiratory tract, itching, irritation and congestion of the mucous membranes. Budesonide cannot be purchased by prescription.
Budesonide, the active ingredient in Budesonide, belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. Budesonide is used to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. Regular use of Budesonide helps to prevent asthma attacks and to facilitate breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
See also: A new method of detecting COPD
Budesonide – dosage
Treatment of asthma should always follow the guidelines of a physician who determines the dose of Bydesonide individually for each patient. It is recognized that the best solution is to use the lowest possible dose to obtain a satisfactory result in maintenance therapy. However, the dose change may change during the course of treatment – for example, when you change to a new inhaler device.
Adults with mild asthma are treated with a 200 microgram dose of the drug once a day. The usual dose is between 400 and 800 micrograms a day. When your symptoms worsen, your doctor may increase your dose to 1600 micrograms a day. Children over 6 years of age with mild asthma receive the same dose levels as adults, but for the youngest the usual dose is 400 micrograms a day, or a maximum of 800 micrograms a day.
Read: Drugs taken in the heat can be as dangerous as legal highs, warn pharmacists. What to watch out for?
Budesonide – contraindications
A contraindication to the use of Budesonide is an allergy to the active substance or any of the auxiliary ingredients of the preparation.
Budesonide must not be used during an acute attack of breathlessness in asthma – in this case, an immediate-acting bronchodilator and relaxant should be given (the effect of Budesonide is only noticeable after long-term use).
Pulmonary tuberculosis is also a contraindication to inhalation with Budesonide. Budesonide preparation should also not be used in the case of fungal or viral infections of the respiratory tract and in the case of diagnosed pneumoconiosis.
Budesonide contains lactose, therefore it is not recommended for people with intolerance to this sugar, lactase deficiency or malabsorption of glucose-galactose.
Taking the drug may be dangerous, for example for the elderly – the pharmacokinetics of the drug has still not been studied in terms of them. People with liver and kidney problems should also exercise particular caution. The pharmacokinetics of Budeznoid have also not been studied in people with impaired liver and kidney function.
What are the side effects of budesonide?
Budesnoid is a drug with low acute toxicity. Overdosing by excessive inhalation may suppress the functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. To avoid this, remember to use the drug only in doses recommended by your doctor. Other side effects can include coughing, speechlessness, vision problems, and oral candidiasis.
Other side effects that the drug may cause are cataracts, glaucoma, rash, urticaria, angioedema, pruritus, behavioral disturbances, decreased bone mineral density – however, these symptoms are rare. Symptoms such as blurred vision and pneumonia are more common among users of the drug in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Side effects of taking the drug may also include mental disorders, such as psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and nervousness. Behavioral changes have been noticed in children using the preparation. Moreover, a side effect of long-term treatment of a child with corticosteroids may be slower growth.
Budesonide – precautions
Particular care should be taken if the patient is taking other corticosteroids, especially oral corticosteroids. The adrenal function may then be suppressed.
The effects of Budesonide treatment are visible after about 10 days of inhalation. Budesonide therapy must not be stopped abruptly as this may worsen symptoms.
It should be borne in mind that bronchial asthma is a potentially life-threatening disease. Budesonide will not help with an acute attack of breathlessness – if you have asthma, you should always have your fast-acting reliever inhaler with you.
Budesonide – interactions with other drugs
Taking budesonide with CYP3A inhibitors, e.g. itraconazole, atazanvir, ketoconazole, ritonavir, nelfinavir, amiodarone and clarithromycin may limit the metabolism of the preparation. When the patient is simultaneously taking Budesonide with the above-mentioned preparations, it is necessary that the adrenal cortex function is constantly monitored.
Budesonide and pregnancy and breastfeeding
Taking corticosteroids during pregnancy is advisable only if the benefits of using the drug outweigh the possible risks to the baby. A breastfeeding woman should know that Budesonide is excreted in breast milk, so the concentration of the drug in the child’s plasma will be approximately 1/600 of that of the mother’s plasma. There are still no studies, the results of which would confirm that long-term use of the drug has no negative consequences for the child.
Budesonide – inhaler instructions for use
The inhaler in the Budesonide pack is designed to administer the powder from the number of capsules in the packet. Do not use the same inhaler for a different pack of medicine. Here’s how to use the inhaler:
- Take off the inhaler cap
- Open the inhaler. To do this, firmly hold the base of the inhaler and turn the mouthpiece in the direction of the arrow,
- Take 1 capsule from the blister and place it in the chamber of the base of the inhaler. The capsule should be removed from the foil blister immediately before use. Do not put the capsule in the mouthpiece,
- Close the inhaler chamber by turning the mouthpiece in the direction of the arrow (until you hear a click),
- Holding the inhaler in an upright position with the mouthpiece pointing upwards, simultaneously press the buttons of the inhaler as far as it will go.
- Release the buttons on the inhaler. At this point, the capsule may disintegrate and small pieces of the capsule shell may leak into the mouth or throat. Eating a piece of this casing is not harmful. The probability of this happening is minimal if the capsule is not punctured more than once, the storage conditions are respected and the capsule is removed from the blister immediately before use,
- Take a deep breath out calmly. Do not breathe out into the inhaler.
- Tilt your head back slightly, put the mouthpiece of the inhaler in your mouth and close your lips tightly around it.
- Take a quick, deep, steady breath. You should hear a characteristic sound when you inhale. If you do not hear this sound, the capsule may be stuck in the base chamber of the inhaler. You should then open the inhaler and lever the capsule out of the chamber. Do not pry the capsule by pressing the buttons repeatedly,
- After inhaling, hold your breath as long as possible without discomfort. Then take the inhaler out of your mouth and breathe out through your nose.
- Open the inhaler and check that there is no powder left in the capsule. If any powder is left in the capsule, repeat steps 7 to 10 to
- After use, open the inhaler and remove the empty capsule. To remove any remaining powder, wipe the mouthpiece and the inhaler chamber (where the capsule is placed) with a dry cloth. You can also use a soft brush for this purpose. Do not use water to clean the inhaler.
- Close the inhaler chamber and replace the cap.