Brand
name: PULMICORT
(Budesonide)
Pronounced: PULL-mi-cort
Generic name: Budesonide
Why is PULMICORT (Budesonide) prescribed?
Budesonide, the active ingredient in PULMICORT (Budesonide), is an anti-inflammatory
steroid medication. Inhaled on a regular basis, Pulmicort helps prevent
asthma attacks.
PULMICORT (Budesonide) are prescribed for children 12 months to 8 years
of age. They are given by nebulizer (a device that produces a fine
spray). Adults and children over 6 can use another form of budesonide,
Pulmicort Turbuhaler, that's taken with an inhaler. Both types of Pulmicort
are preventive medicines. They will not relieve an acute or life-threatening
episode of asthma.
Most important fact about PULMICORT (Budesonide)
Because steroids can suppress the immune system, children taking Pulmicort
may become more susceptible to infections, and their infections could
be more severe. Be careful to protect the child from exposure to infectious
diseases such as chickenpox and measles. If the youngster is exposed,
contact your doctor immediately.
How should you take PULMICORT (Budesonide)?
Use PULMICORT (Budesonide) exactly as directed. The effectiveness of PULMICORT (Budesonide) depends on its regular use. Your doctor will prescribe the
lowest effective dose. Do not use more or less medication than the
amount prescribed. When starting therapy, carefully read the instructions
that come with PULMICORT (Budesonide). The child's asthma symptoms may
begin to improve in 2 to 8 days, although you may not see the maximum
benefit for 4 to 6 weeks. If symptoms do not improve or get worse,
contact your doctor.
PULMICORT (Budesonide) contain a liquid suspension of budesonide for administration
with a jet nebulizer connected to a mouthpiece or facemask. Do not
use an ultrasonic nebulizer, and do not mix Pulmicort with other medications.
Gently shake the Respule in a circular motion before use. Avoid exposing
the eyes to the medication. To decrease the risk of developing a fungus
infection in the mouth, have the child rinse with water, without swallowing,
after each dose. Wash the child's face after using the facemask.
If you miss a dose...
Give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the one you missed and go back to the regular schedule.
Do not give 2 doses at once.
Storage instructions...
Store PULMICORT (Budesonide) upright at room temperature. Do not refrigerate
or freeze. When you open the aluminum foil envelope containing the
Respules, record the date on the back of the envelope. Keep unused
Respules in the envelope protected from light. Use any individually
opened Respules promptly. You should discard any unused Respules two
weeks after opening the envelope.
PULMICORT (Budesonide) side effects
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity,
inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine
if it is safe for you to continue taking Pulmicort.
* Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), cough, diarrhea, ear infection or
inflammation, fever, fungal infection in mouth, headache, nasal or sinus
inflammation, nosebleed, pain, rash, respiratory infection, stomach or intestinal
inflammation, throat inflammation, viral infection, vomiting, wheezing
Why should PULMICORT (Budesonide) not be prescribed?
If the child is allergic to budesonide, PULMICORT (Budesonide) cannot
be used. In addition, Pulmicort cannot be used to treat severe asthma
attacks.
Special warnings about PULMICORT (Budesonide)
If the youngster is switching to Pulmicort from an oral steroid medication,
the doctor will be careful to reduce the oral dosage very gradually.
Taking oral steroids suppresses the natural production of steroids
by the adrenal gland, and it takes months for production to return
to normal after the oral steroids are stopped. In the meantime, the
body will be unusually vulnerable to stress.
There have been reports of death during and immediately after transfer
from oral steroids to inhaled steroids, so your doctor will monitor
the child carefully during this period. People who have been taking
high doses of oral steroids for an extended period of time are especially
prone to problems, particularly when the oral steroids have been almost
completely stopped. At that point, any stress from trauma, surgery,
or infection (especially stomach or intestinal inflammation) is more
likely to trigger adverse events.
If the child experiences a period of stress or a severe asthma attack
during the switch to Pulmicort, begin giving the oral medication again
(in large doses) and contact your doctor immediately. The child should
carry a medical identification card indicating that he or she may need
additional medication during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack.
Transfer from oral steroids to Pulmicort may unmask allergic conditions
previously controlled by the oral drugs, such as nasal inflammation,
conjunctivitis (pinkeye), and eczema. Transfer from oral steroids may
also be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms, including joint or muscle
pain, fatigue, and depression, even while Pulmicort is improving the
child's asthma symptoms.
Like other inhaled asthma medications, Pulmicort occasionally triggers
an asthma attack. If this occurs, immediately administer a fast-acting
inhaled bronchodilator, stop using Pulmicort, and contact your doctor.
The youngster will need to switch to a different asthma medication.
Also alert your doctor immediately if the usual doses of the child's
fast-acting bronchodilator no longer work. Oral steroids may be needed
for a while.
Steroid medications can stunt growth in children and teenagers. Your
doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose of Pulmicort in order
to minimize this problem, and will monitor the child's growth carefully.
While using PULMICORT (Budesonide), some people develop fungal infections
in the mouth and throat. If this occurs, the doctor can prescribe antifungal
medication while the child continues to use Pulmicort. Individuals
with tuberculosis, ocular herpes simplex, or any untreated fungal,
bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection should use inhaled steroids
with caution. Caution is also in order if the child has liver disease.
In rare instances, inhaled steroids have been known to cause glaucoma
(increased pressure in the eye) and cataracts.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking PULMICORT (Budesonide)
If Pulmicort is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either
can be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important
to check with your doctor before combining Pulmicort with ketoconazole
(Nizoral).
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
This medication is not intended for women of child-bearing age, but
you should know that budesonide is recommended during pregnancy only
if clearly needed. In addition, steroids makes their way into breast
milk and are not recommended for nursing mothers.
Recommended dosage for PULMICORT (Budesonide)
CHILDREN 12 MONTHS TO 8 YEARS OF AGE
Overdosage
Excessive doses of steroid medications taken for long periods can
stunt growth or cause a condition called Cushing's syndrome. Symptoms
of this condition include weight gain, a "moon face," muscle
wasting, weakness, and poor wound healing. If you think a problem is
developing, check with your doctor immediately.
