Budesonide

[luppylou76]

Hello i am being prescribed this new med for as have swelling on the liver that needs bringing down. I have lupus/sjorgens. Is anyone else on this med who can give me some feedback on it and any side effects? Also is this med a type of steroid? Many thanks x

[PMRpro]

Yes, it is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid - but sorry, can't tell you what it is like to take. I assume you have it as a pill? It's often used in an inhaler for asthma.

[luppylou76 in reply to PMRpro]

I think it's a pill. Got to pick my prescription up for it yet. Just being informed today x

[Poppyfields65 in reply to luppylou76]

Hi.  I was recently on the capsule form of budesonide for 5 months for Inflammatory bowel disease. It is a corticosteroid ( not as strong as Pred I believe. ) 

 I was on 9mg daily for 3 months followed by 6mg daily for 1 month and then 3mg daily for the final month. 

The only side effects I had was migraine headaches for about 2 weeks during week 2 and 3. And then again in the final month and I actually stopped them 2 weeks early.  I upped my magnesium supplement intake after the migraines started.  They worked for my IBD symptoms and also after 2 weeks unexpectedly stopped 6 years worth of  daily 24/7 dizziness.  I introduced myself a few days ago and talked about this... 

I have spoken to many people on my IBD forum that had bad experiences with this drug but everyone is different and I'm very glad I persevered through the migraines cos the benefit even of the dizziness resolution was terrific!!  Unfortunately the dizziness returned once the dose was reduced and I'm under investigation with a neurologist. 

Good luck. 

[luppylou76 in reply to Poppyfields65]

Hi, thank you very much for your reply has helped a lot. I am to start 3mg gastro-resistant capsules to take 3 daily. Not being told how long i have to be on them yet but see consultant in 3 months time for a review. Reason for taking this is due to swelling on liver due to autoimmune hepatitis. I am also on 5mg prednisolone,hydroxychloroquine,iron tablets and calcium tablets.  Hope you get sorted very soon x

[Patricia2015]

It is a small (oral) capsule cortecosteroide. It reduces inflammation in your body. People mostly get subscribed it for IBD as Mickyaela wrote. I took it with three ilieitis (Crohn-like) flares and tapered it down to zero. However because the ilieitis returned I am currently taking this medicine Entocort (=Budesonide) for two years now on minumum dosage meaning 3mg a day. My gastro entro said it cannot cause systemic effects in this dosage. I don't have side effects but take extra calcium in case there are side effects.

[luppylou76 in reply to Patricia2015]

Hi, thank you very much for your reply has helped a lot. I am to start 3mg gastro-resistant capsules to take 3 daily. Not being told how long i have to be on them yet but see consultant in 3 months time for a review. Reason for taking this is due to swelling on liver due to autoimmune hepatitis. I am also on 5mg prednisolone,hydroxychloroquine,iron tablets and calcium tablets.  Hope you get sorted very soon x

[Poppyfields65 in reply to luppylou76]

Hi.  Yes mine were gastro resistant,  it means the capsule dissolves in the terminal Ileum rather than the stomach.   The brands I had were Endocort and Budenofalk.  I notice it does say it is used to treat auto immune hepatitis as well as Crohns and Collagenous colitis.  You might want to consider taking a magnesium supplement to help guard against headaches. But not too much cos it can cause diarrhoea!! 

Good luck.