Generic name: Budesonide

Why is this medication prescribed?
Budesonide is used to treat symptoms of stuffiness and runny nose due to allergies. It is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs).

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?
Budesonide comes as an aerosol nasal spray to be sprayed in the nose. Budesonide usually is used once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use budesonide exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Budesonide treats symptoms in your nose; you may need other drugs if you have other allergy symptoms. Do not stop taking budesonide without talking to your doctor.

Do not use budesonide if you have recently had a sinus infection, nasal bleeding, or surgery inside your nose.

If you have recently stopped taking a corticosteroid drug by mouth, tell your doctor if you have joint pain, muscle pain, depression, or tiredness. These symptoms may mean that you have too little corticosteroid in your body.

Before you use budesonide for the first time, read the written directions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the nasal spray, and practice using it in front of them. Follow these steps:

• Blow your nose.
• Open the canister by turning the arrow.
• Shake the canister well, both before and between sprays.
• Plug one nostril and place the end of the inhaler in the other nostril. Hold your breath and squeeze down on the canister to release the drug into your nose. If your doctor prescribes a second spray, repeat these steps with the inhaler in the other nostril.
• Close the canister.

What special precautions should I follow?
Before using budesonide,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to budesonide or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially allergy and asthma medications and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had tuberculosis, herpes, or other infections. Avoid people with chicken pox or measles because you may be more sensitive to infection.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using budesonide, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using budesonide.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from budesonide are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nose irritation or burning
• bleeding or sores in the nose
• lightheadedness
• upset stomach
• cough
• hoarseness
• dry mouth

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• difficulty breathing
• white patches in the throat, mouth, or nose
• irregular menstrual periods
• severe acne
• swelling of the face

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Shake well before each use. After opening the aluminum pouch, use budesonide within 6 months. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. Do not throw the container into an incinerator or store near heat or an open flame.

What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to budesonide.

Clean the nasal spray container regularly. Wash the plastic parts in very warm water with a mild soap. The plastic part can be reused with refills of your medication.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.