Budesonide inhalers

Budesonide inhalers

What it's for

Budesonide inhalers

How it's used (previously Dosage and administration)

Budesonide inhalers

Side effects

Budesonide inhalers

Who it's for

Budesonide inhalers

Interactions

Budesonide inhalers are used to treat asthma. They are preventer inhalers that reduce asthma symptoms and lower your risk of having an asthma attack.

Budesonide usually comes as an inhaler that you use once or twice a day. Follow the instructions that come with your medicine.

Side effects of budesonide inhalers include headaches and oral thrush. More serious side effects are rare.

Budesonide inhalers are suitable for most adults and children aged 6 years or older. Check before using because they’re not suitable for everyone.

Using budesonide inhalers with other medicines, such as some antifungal medicines, can cause problems. Always check before using them.

What budesonide inhalers are for

Budesonide inhalers contain a steroid medicine that’s used to treat asthma.

They’re called preventer inhalers because they can:

• reduce the chance of having an asthma attack
• control asthma symptoms

A preventer inhaler is different to the reliever inhaler that you use during an asthma attack.

Some inhalers contain budesonide and another medicine and can be used to treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some of them are used as both a preventer and reliever inhaler.

How to use budesonide inhalers

Budesonide usually comes as an inhaler you use once or twice a day.

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist, nurse or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to use it or have any problems taking it.

Your GP, a nurse or pharmacist will show you how to use your inhaler. Sometimes you may use a clear plastic tube called a spacer to attach to the inhaler. This makes it easier to breathe in your medicine.

When using budesonide:

• use the inhaler exactly as you’ve been shown
• try to use it at the same time each day
• rinse your mouth with water after using your inhaler and spit the water out

Budesonide can also be given using a nebuliser. This device lets you breathe in your medicine as a fine mist.

While using budesonide, you may be given a steroid alert card.

If a child is prescribed budesonide, they'll have their height checked regularly by their doctor. This is because steroids can sometimes affect how children grow.

Important

Do not stop using your budesonide inhaler suddenly or without talking to your doctor first, even if you feel well. Stopping could make your asthma worse.

Always take the exact dose prescribed by your GP. If your asthma symptoms are not well controlled and you're having to use your inhalers more often, speak to your GP. They may need to review your asthma medicines.

If you miss a dose of budesonide

If you forget to use your budesonide inhaler, take your dose as soon as you remember unless it’s nearly time for your next dose.

If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.

If you take too much budesonide

Do not worry if you sometimes use more budesonide than you should. But avoid regularly using too much because it can increase the risk of side effects.

Speak to a pharmacist if:

• you've used more budesonide than it says on the packet, leaflet or prescription and it’s causing any symptoms such as a sore throat or oral thrush

Find a pharmacy

Side effects of budesonide inhalers

Like all medicines, budesonide inhalers can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of budesonide inhalers include:

• a headache
• oral thrush (mouth thrush)
• a croaky or hoarse voice
• sore throat

Budesonide inhalers will not usually affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or use machinery.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:

• you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away

They may be able to give you advice about how you can reduce the side effects. Keep taking your medicine unless you’re advised to stop.

Find a pharmacy

Serious side effects

Budesonide inhalers can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of inhaled budesonide include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – which can cause symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash or difficulty breathing
• sudden difficulty breathing due to restricted airways – use your reliever inhaler if this happens
• glaucoma or cataracts – causing problems with your eyes such as blurred vision, double vision or eye pain
• adrenal insufficiency – causing symptoms such as vomiting, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, mood changes or feeling dizzy, faint or very tired

Call 999 if:

• you're using a budesonide inhaler and think you might be having anaphylaxis, or you're having severe difficulty breathing and your reliever inhaler has not helped

If you think you're having any other serious side effect, call NHS 111.

Who can and cannot use budesonide inhalers

Most adults can use budesonide inhalers.

They are sometimes also prescribed for children aged 6 years or older.

But budesonide inhalers are not suitable for everyone. For example, they may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction or other serious side effects from budesonide or another steroid inhaler
• you have tuberculosis (TB)
• you have liver disease

Before using a budesonide inhaler, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and budesonide inhalers

You can usually use a budesonide inhaler while breastfeeding.

It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects from medicine you're taking, but speak to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and budesonide inhalers

You can usually use budesonide inhalers if you're pregnant. It’s important that your asthma is controlled, to keep you and your baby safe.

Using budesonide inhalers with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with budesonide inhalers.

This includes:

• steroid tablets or steroid nasal sprays (corticosteroids)
• some antifungal medicines, taken as tablets or capsules
• antiviral medicines, such as ritonavir or cobicistat for HIV

Before using a budesonide inhaler, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with budesonide inhalers

You can eat and drink as normal while using a budesonide inhaler.