What is Pulmicort?

Pulmicort is a brand-name prescription drug that’s approved to treat asthma in adults and children. Asthma is a long-term condition that’s caused by inflammation in your airways. Pulmicort contains the active drug budesonide. It belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids.

Pulmicort contains budesonide, a corticosteroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Pulmicort Flexhaler is for use in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Pulmicort Respules are for use in children 12 months to 8 years old.

Warnings

Do not use Pulmicort to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. Budesonide is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medicine to treat an asthma attack.Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

Your dosage of Pulmicort may change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.

If you also use an oral steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about taking less and less of the steroid before stopping completely.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Pulmicort if you are allergic to budesonide, or if:

• you have a severe allergy to milk proteins; or
• you are having an asthma attack.

To make sure Pulmicort is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• food or drug allergies;
• liver disease;
• osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density;
• glaucoma, cataracts, or herpes infection of the eyes;
• tuberculosis; or
• any type of infection caused by bacteria, fungus, virus, or parasite.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, if you have a family history of osteoporosis, or if you are a woman going through menopause.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I use Pulmicort?

Use Pulmicort exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Pulmicort is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack. Use only a fast acting inhalation medicine for an asthma attack.

Use only the inhaler device that comes with Pulmicort Flexhaler. Do not place the device in water or try to take it apart. The Flexhaler device has a dose counter that shows how many doses are left inside. The dose-counter indicator may not appear to move until about 5 doses have been used. Do not use an extra dose just because the Flexhaler indicator has not moved to a lower number after just one use.

Always rinse your mouth with water after using the Pulmicort Flexhaler, to help prevent thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth or throat). If you are using a nebulizer with a face mask, wash the mask area of your face after each use.

Do not allow a young child to use Pulmicort Flexhaler without help from an adult.

Pulmicort Respules should be used only with a standard jet nebulizer connected to an air compressor. Do not mix with other medicines in the nebulizer cup (reservoir).

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your vision or bone mineral density may also need to be checked.

Using a steroid can weaken your immune system. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill.

Your dose needs may change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor’s advice.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

Pulmicort side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Pulmicort: hives, rash, severe itching; chest pain, difficult breathing, feeling anxious; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• worsening asthma symptoms
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• signs of infection – fever, chills, body aches, ear pain, nausea, vomiting; or
• signs of low adrenal gland hormones – worsening tiredness or muscle weakness, feeling light-headed, nausea, vomiting.

Common Pulmicort side effects may include:

• runny or stuffy nose, sneezing;
• red, itchy, and watery eyes;
• fever, sore throat, cough;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
• nosebleed; or
• headache, back pain.

What other drugs will affect Pulmicort?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• antifungal medicine (such as ketoconazole
• drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, or medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection;
• seizure medication; or
• other steroid medicine (fluticasone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, and others).

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