Like all medicines, budesonide rectal form and enemas can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Common side effects
These common side effects of budesonide rectal foam and enemas happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to cope with them:
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Feeling sick (nausea)
It may help if you stick to plain food, do not eat rich or spicy food and try eating smaller meals and more often.
Tell your doctor if this problem does not go away. They may be able to prescribe an extra medicine to protect your stomach.
Indigestion and trapped wind
If you need something to ease the indigestion or trapped wind, try taking an antacid. If it gets very uncomfortable, speak to your doctor.
Burning or stinging around your bottom
This is usually mild and only lasts a few days. Ask a pharmacist to recommend a cream if it bothers you. Tell your doctor if this does not go away.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
It's rare to get serious side effects with budesonide rectal foam or enemas.
This is because they're applied directly into the bowel and the medicine gets to where it's needed without affecting the rest of your body.
Sometimes budesonide can get through the lining of your bowel into your blood, meaning you're at higher risk of side effects. However, this is more likely to happen if you use it for a long time.
Speak to your doctor if you get "moon face" (a puffy, rounded face), weight gain in the upper back or belly. This happens gradually and can be a sign of Cushing's syndrome.
Tell a doctor or call 111 straight away if you get:
- a high temperature, chills, a very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, a cough, coughing up more mucus (phlegm) or a change in colour of your mucus, pain when you pee, mouth sores or a wound that is not healing – these can be signs of an infection
- a very upset stomach or you're being sick (vomiting), feeling very dizzy or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal insufficiency
- changes in your eyesight, such as blurred vision or a cloudy lens in the eye – these can be signs of increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma), a cataract or a retinal condition called CSCR (central serous chorioretinopathy)
- depressed, have mood swings (highs or lows), feel anxious, are seeing or hearing things that are not there or having strange or frightening thoughts – these can be signs of mental health problems
- severe stomach pain, severe back pain, a very upset stomach or you're being sick (vomiting) – these can be signs of pancreas problems
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you have thoughts of harming yourself
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring all the medicines you take with you.
Serious allergic reaction
It's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to budesonide rectal foam and enemas.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of budesonide rectal foam and enemas. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.