Pulmicort Side Effects

Some of the common Pulmicort side effects include an irritated or runny nose, coughing, and viral infections. Less common side effects can include chest pain, weight gain, and insomnia. If you develop more serious side effects of Pulmicort, such as asthma symptoms that are getting worse, frequent or severe infections, or signs of an allergic reaction, notify your healthcare provider right away.

 

An Introduction to Pulmicort Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects can occur with Pulmicort® (budesonide inhalation). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If Pulmicort side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
Pulmicort comes in two forms: the Pulmicort Flexhaler® (a special kind of inhaler) and Pulmicort Respules® that are inhaled using a nebulizer (a device that changes liquid medications into fine droplets that are inhaled into the lungs). The Pulmicort Flexhaler has replaced the Pulmicort Turbuhaler®, which is no longer manufactured.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Pulmicort. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Pulmicort side effects with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Pulmicort

Pulmicort has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects in a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, the most common Pulmicort side effects included:
 
  • An irritated or runny nose -- in up to 12 percent of people
  • Coughing -- up to 9 percent
  • Viral infections -- up to 5 percent
  • Thrush -- up to 4 percent
  • Vomiting -- up to 4 percent
  • Diarrhea -- up to 4 percent
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 3 percent
  • Ear infections -- up to 5 percent
  • Bloody nose -- up to 4 percent
  • Conjunctivitis ("pinkeye") -- up to 4 percent.
     
(Pulmicort Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;