Drugs & Vitamins

Budesonide Inhaler Active Ingredients: Budesonide Inhaler   Representative Names: Pulmicort Available Product Images: What is budesonide inhalation powder? What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? How should I use this medicine? What if I miss a dose? What drug(s) may interact with budesonide? What side effects may I notice from using budesonide? What should I watch for while taking budesonide? Where can I keep my medicine? What is budesonide inhalation powder? (Back to top) BUDESONIDE (Pulmicort Turbuhaler®) is a corticosteroid for treating respiratory problems. It helps to decrease the inflammation, swelling, and irritation in your lungs that is caused by asthma or other lung diseases. Regular use of budesonide inhalation powder will help prevent asthma attacks, but it is not for rapid relief of asthma attacks. Generic budesonide inhalation powder is not yet available. What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top) They need to know if you have any of these conditions: •Cushing's syndrome •infection such as herpes, or tuberculosis •recent surgery or trauma •an unusual or allergic reaction to budesonide, steroids, milk, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives •pregnant or trying to get pregnant •breast-feeding How should I use this medicine? (Back to top) Budesonide is for inhalation through the mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. A new inhaler should be primed before use. Follow the priming instructions that come with the inhaler. The instructions will also tell you what position to hold the inhaler when loading or inhaling a dose. Always hold the inhaler in the appropriate position so that no medication is lost. Load the dose as instructed. Do not shake the inhaler after loading it. Turn your head away from the inhaler and breathe out. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and inhale deeply and forcefully. You may not taste or feel the medication. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and exhale. Do not blow or exhale into the mouthpiece. Do not chew or bite on the mouthpiece. If more than one dose is required, repeat the steps above. Rinse your mouth with water; do not swallow the water. Keep your inhaler clean and dry at all times. Do not use the inhaler if it has been damaged or if the mouthpiece has become detached. Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children less than 6 years of age. Special care may be needed. What if I miss a dose? (Back to top) If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose and continue with your regular schedule, spacing doses evenly. Do not use double or extra doses. What drug(s) may interact with budesonide? (Back to top) No interactions have been recorded. Do not use other inhalation aerosols at the same time as budesonide unless prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional. Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. What side effects may I notice from using budesonide? (Back to top) Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: •chest pain or tightness •fever or chills •skin rash and itching (hives) •sore mouth, with cream or white curd-like patches in the mouth or throat •troubled breathing or wheezing •unusual swelling Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): •coughing, hoarseness •dry mouth •loss of taste, or unpleasant taste What should I watch for while taking budesonide? (Back to top) Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of corticosteroid you are taking, and your prescriber's name and address. It can take up to 4 weeks before you see the full effect of budesonide. Budesonide is intended for regular use. It will not cure your condition, but can help to reduce asthma symptoms. Budesonide will not relieve an acute asthma attack. If you have an asthma attack you should still use your budesonide at the usual time, but use another medicine to treat the attack. Do not stop using budesonide except on your prescriber's advice. If you are transferred from steroid tablets taken by mouth to steroid inhaler , you may need additional doses of steroid tablets during periods of stress. Always follow your prescriber's advice. If you need surgery, or have any kind of accident or stress, tell the prescriber or health care professional that you are using budesonide. If you are also using a bronchodilator inhaler (such as albuterol) use that inhaler first. Wait a few minutes before using budesonide. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly. People who are taking certain dosages of budesonide may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking budesonide before receiving any vaccine. Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top) Keep out of the reach of children. Store in a dry place at room temperature between 20—25 degrees C ( 68—77 degrees F). Throw away after the expiration date. Last Updated:08/15/2007 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY© GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.