Medications and Drugs

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Pharmacy Author: Ome Ogbru, Pharm. D.
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, M.D.

GENERIC NAME: budesonide

BRAND NAME: Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Pulmicort Respules

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Budesonide is a man-made glucocorticoid steroid related to the naturally-occurring hormone, cortisol or hydrocortisone which is produced in the adrenal glands. It is used for treating asthma by inhalation. Glucocorticoid steroids such as cortisol or budesonide have potent anti-inflammatory actions that reduces inflammation and hyper-reactivity (spasm) of the airways caused by asthma. When used as an inhaler, the budesonide goes directly to the inner lining of the inflamed airways to exert its effects. Only 39% of an inhaled dose of budesonide is absorbed into the body, and the absorbed budesonide contributes little to the effects on the airways.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS:

• Pulmicort Turbuhaler 200 mcg: each 200 mcg actuation delivers 160 mcg of budesonide.
• Pulmicort Respules, 0.25 mg/2ml, 0.5 mg/2ml suspension, and 1 mg/2ml

STORAGE: Budesonide should be stored at room temperature, 20-25 C (68-77 F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: The budesonide inhaler is used for the control of asthma in persons requiring continuous, prolonged treatment. Such patients may include those with frequent asthmatic episodes requiring bronchodilators, for example, albuterol (Ventolin) or those with asthmatic episodes at night.

DOSING: Budesonide is used to prevent asthmatic attacks and should not be used to treat an acute attack of asthma. The Turbuhaler is used for individuals six years of age or older. Effects can be seen within 24 hours, but maximum effects may not be seen for 1-2 weeks or longer. Doses vary widely. Adults usually receive 1 to 4 actuations (puffs) twice daily. Children usually receive 1 to 2 puffs twice daily. For those with mild asthma, treatment once daily may be sufficient.

Pulmicort Respules are used for individuals 12 months to eight years of age. Effects are seen in 2 to 8 days, but maximum effects may not be seen for up to 4 to 6 weeks. Pulmicort Respules are used with a jet nebulizer. They usually are taken as one or two doses for a total of 0.5-1 mg daily.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric) increases the concentrations in blood of budesonide, and this may lead to an increase in the side effects of budesonide. No drug interactions have been described with inhaled budesonide.

PREGNANCY: When given orally to animals, glucocorticoid steroids similar to budesonide have been shown to cause fetal abnormalities. Studies of pregnant women using inhaled budesonide during early pregnancy, however, do not show an increase in the rate of fetal abnormalities. Nevertheless, since these studies cannot exclude the possibility of rare effects on the fetus, inhaled budesonide should be used with caution during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if budesonide is secreted in breast milk. Other medications similar to budesonide are indeed secreted in breast milk. It is not known whether the small amounts that may appear in breast milk have effects on the infant.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associated with inhaled budesonide are mild cough or wheezing; these effects may be minimized by using a bronchodilator inhaler, for example, albuterol (Ventolin), prior to the budesonide. Oral candidiasis or thrush (a fungal infection of the throat) may occur in 1 in 25 persons who use budesonide without a spacer device on the inhaler. The risk is even higher with large doses but is less in children than in adults. Hoarseness or sore throat also may occur in 1 in 10 persons. Using a spacer device on the inhaler and washing one's mouth out with water following each use reduces the risk of both thrush and hoarseness. Less commonly, alterations in voice may occur.