Unlike many other medicines, different brands and types of budesonide are slightly different and are used to treat different conditions, so it's important to stick to the same one.
Different types are designed so the medicine reaches different places in your gut, liver and food pipe.
Your doctor will recommend the type of budesonide that's best for you, so that the medicine reaches where you need it most.
Dosage
How much budesonide you take and how long you take it will depend on why you're taking it.
Follow your doctor's advice and the instructions in the leaflet in your medicine packet.
Once your symptoms are under control, your doctor might reduce your dose. They might increase your dose again if your symptoms come back.
How to take Entocort capsules
To treat Crohn's disease or microscopic colitis you'll usually take 3 capsules in the morning before breakfast, for up to 8 weeks.
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew, break, crush or suck them as they might not work properly.
How to take Budenofalk capsules
To treat Crohn's disease or microscopic colitis you'll usually take 3 capsules a day for up to 8 weeks. You'll need to take them for longer if they're for autoimmune hepatitis.
Take 3 capsules together in the morning, or take 1 capsule 3 times a day.
Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water, about half an hour before a meal. Do not chew, break, crush or suck them as they might not work properly.
How to take Cortiment slow-release tablets
To treat ulcerative colitis or microscopic colitis you'll usually take 1 tablet in the morning either with or before breakfast, for up to 8 weeks.
Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew, break, crush or suck them as they might not work properly.
How to take Budenofalk granules
To treat Crohn's disease or microscopic colitis you'll usually take 1 sachet a day, for up to 8 weeks. Take it in the morning about half an hour before breakfast.
Put the contents of the sachet on your tongue, and swallow it whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or crush the granules as they might not work properly.
How to take Jorveza tablets that dissolve on your tongue
For treating inflammation in the food pipe (eosinophilic oesphagitis) you'll usually take 1 tablet twice a day after a meal, for 6 to 12 weeks.
To make sure the medicine works in your food pipe:
- Place the tablet on the end of your tongue.
- Close your mouth and press the tablet gently against the roof of your mouth until it has dissolved. This takes about 2 minutes.
- Swallow the dissolved tablet, bit by bit, with saliva only. Do not chew the tablet or swallow it whole.
- Do not have any liquid or food or rinse your mouth for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
How long to take it for
This depends on your health condition.
Most people take budesonide as a short course, for example for up to 8 weeks. Sometimes you'll need to use it for longer to keep symptoms under control.
If you take it for autoimmune hepatitis your doctor might tell you to take it for up to 2 years.
Important
Keep taking budesonide until your doctor tells you to stop or you have finished your course, even if you feel better.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose of budesonide, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
Taking more than your prescribed dose of budesonide is unlikely to harm you.
If you're worried, have any new symptoms, or have taken more than your prescribed dose for several days, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.
Stopping budesonide
If you stop taking budesonide suddenly your symptoms could get worse again. You may also get withdrawal side effects including:
- severe tiredness
- weakness and feeling unwell
- body aches including stomach ache
- feeling dizzy
- joint and muscle pain
Your doctor may recommend that you reduce your dose gradually to prevent these side effects.
If you have stopped taking budesonide recently and get any of these symptoms, let your doctor know straight away.
Important
Do not stop taking budesonide without talking to your doctor.