Budesonide Inhalation

A healthcare provider may prescribe budesonide inhalation to prevent asthma attacks. There are two forms of budesonide inhalation available -- a Flexhaler (a special kind of inhaler) and Respules (which are inhaled using a nebulizer). Budesonide inhalation is a type of steroid that works by going directly into the lungs to decrease the inflammation of airways that makes asthma attacks more likely. There are potential side effects of the medication, such as a runny nose, a sore throat, and coughing.

 

What Is Budesonide Inhalation?

Budesonide inhalation (Pulmicort®) is a prescription medication used to prevent asthma attacks. Budesonide inhalation comes in two forms -- the budesonide inhalation Flexhaler® (a special kind of inhaler) and budesonide inhalation Respules® that are inhaled using a nebulizer (a device that changes liquid medications into fine droplets that are inhaled into the lungs). The budesonide inhalation Flexhaler has replaced the budesonide inhalation Turbuhaler®, which is no longer manufactured.
 
(Click What Is Budesonide Inhalation Used For? for more information on what budesonide inhalation is used for, including possible off-label uses of the medication.)
 

Who Makes Budesonide Inhalation?

Budesonide inhalation is made by AstraZeneca.
 

How Does Budesonide Inhalation Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways. However, when you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). This inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating (see Asthma Triggers). When the airways react, a few things happen -- the muscles around these airways tighten, inflammation inside the airways increases, and the cells inside the airways produce more mucus. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe.
 
Budesonide inhalation is an asthma medication that belongs to a group of drugs called inhaled corticosteroids, or steroids for short. Inhaled steroids go directly into the lungs and help to decrease the inflammation of airways that makes asthma attacks more likely. Because budesonide inhalation does not work quickly, it should not be used for treating an asthma attack. Rather, it is used once or twice a day in order to prevent asthma attacks.
 
Because budesonide inhalation is inhaled directly into the lungs, the rest of the body is exposed to lower steroid levels, compared to steroids taken by mouth. This helps reduce or eliminate many of the side effects associated with long-term steroid use.
 
(Click Asthma Treatment for information about other medicines used for treating asthma.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;