Steroid comparison. Budesonide vs. ... - Crohn's and Colit...

Crohn's and Colitis Support

5,542 members1,766 posts

Steroid comparison. Budesonide vs. others for effectiveness

Meeasy profile image
2 Replies

Helping my nephew who has been prescribed a time released Budesonide steroid for his Crohns. He was shocked by the sticker price of over $2000 copay with insurance. That blows his budget so we are looking at options to compare effectiveness.

Questions:

1- Is this the typical price for Budesinide ?

2- Does anyone have comparative experience for its effectiveness vs another less expensive steroid? Perhaps Prednisone or something we've not heard of. Let us know your experience. Thanks in advance

Written by
Meeasy profile image
Meeasy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
2 Replies
lessan profile image
lessan

Hiya I’m from the uk so can’t advise re the costs. But I was put in Budesonide Following negative results from colonoscopy and pill cam. I was diagnosed with crohns in 2014 & had been in remission but had recent flares which were no showing on tests but did have raised calprotectin. GI thought it may be microscopic crohns so prescribed budesonide which worked quite quickly and effectively without all the side effects of pred. I didn’t take them for the full 3 months but I am on again and I just take 1or 2 for a couple of days if my flares get troublesome again. Only negative is they do make you constipated but that’s sometimes a welcome relief

Good luck 😊

willow24 profile image
willow24Administrator

Prednisilone costs pence, in UK pred 5mgs x30 tabs = 81p - £1.65 (depending on brand and if enteric coated) for Budesonide 9mgs x 30 tabs = £75. This is why pred is used so freely in UK as its extremely cheap. I cant understand why the budesonide is so expensive in US though.

There is also Methylprednisilone and hydrocortisone. Prednisilone is the cheapest option, and better tolerated but still usually requires omeprazole/lansoprazole/ranitadine cover as it can irritate stomach

Sorry I couldn't be of more help x

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Crohn’s with a negative test

Hi, Not a member of this particular forum, but I have received such support from the PMRGCA...
artisam profile image

Do I have UC...recent episode

Hello and I'm so glad I found this site. I was recently rushed to hospital by ambulance after...
Maguragirl profile image

Just diagonised

After 4 years of severe mouth ulcers, finally got chrons diagnosis last week. Mine is mainly in my...
webbs8 profile image

UC and the COVID vaccine

I'm interested in collecting experience of the COVID vaccination on colitis symptoms. Thanks for...
bresbo profile image

Anyone with Calprotectin level higher that 6000?

My son (14) has been diagnosed with Crohn's 5 years ago. His initial Calprotectin levels were...

Moderation team

willow24 profile image
willow24Administrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.