|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (byoo
DES oh
nide) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Pulmicort Respules™; Pulmicort®
Turbuhaler®; Rhinocort®; Rhinocort®
Aqua™ |
|
|
| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Entocort® (Canada); Pulmicort®
(Canada) |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Corticosteroid, Oral Inhaler; Corticosteroid, Nasal |
|
|
| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- When switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled one there can be
problems. Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
inability to think clearly, or low blood sugar may occur. Call healthcare
provider right away if any of these occur. If you have a serious accident and
are injured, have surgery, or any type of infection, you may need extra doses of
oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these
stresses. Carry a warning card saying that you may need extra steroids at
certain times.
|
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to budesonide or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have an asthma attack or a long asthma attack that requires
emergency care.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- This medicine is used for the treatment of chronic asthma to prevent
attacks. It is not
helpful during an asthma attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 2 weeks
of the medicine.
- Nasal:
- This medicine is used to treat nasal symptoms in patients with
allergies. It is not
helpful during an allergy attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 1-2
weeks of regular use.
- Nebulizer:
- This medicine is used for children 1 year to 8 years old for the
treatment of chronic asthma to prevent attacks. You may see improvement in 2-8
days but the biggest benefit may be seen after 4-6 weeks of
use.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- Budesonide prevents and reduces irritation in the airways of the lungs
and may relax the muscles of the airways to prevent lung spasms.
- Nasal:
- Budesonide prevents and reduces irritation and swelling in the nose.
- Nebulizer:
- The nebulizer creates a fine medication mist. The mist is inhaled into
your child's lungs. It decreases inflammation
there.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important.
- Rinse mouth after use.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at
a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Nasal:
- For the nose only. Use at a similar time every day. Shake well first.
- Blow your nose before using.
- Check spray use with healthcare provider at each visit.
- Nebulizer:
- Read the instructions that come with medicine.
- Do not mix other medicines in nebulizer.
- Rinse mouth after use. Wash face if using a face
mask.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not stop using with talking with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles.
- Wear disease medical alert identification if you have asthma, lung
disease, or are an allergy sufferer or if you are going to be on this medicine
more than 3-4 weeks.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Oral inhaler:
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, hoarseness.
- Mouth infection. To prevent, rinse with water after each use.
- Nasal:
- Headache. Mild analgesic may help.
- Nasal irritation, burning, bleeding, and dryness.
- Nebulizer:
- Lung infection.
- Runny, irritated nose.
- Cough
- Ear infection.
- Yeast infection of the mouth and mouth sores. To prevent sores, rinse
mouth with water and spit out.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees for more than 2 days, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus
pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth
sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or pain.
- Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats,
confusion, sweating, dizzy, especially if you missed a dose or recently stopped
this medicine.
- If exposure to chickenpox has occurred and the child has not had
chickenpox or been vaccinated against it.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- Store powder at room temperature in a dry place.
- Use powder within 2 months after opening foil package.
- Nasal:
- Store spray at room temperature. Throw away after 6 months.
- Nebulizer:
- Store upright at room temperature Protect from light. Use within 2
weeks once
opened.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
