INTRODUCTION

Budesonide, sold under the brand name Pulmicort

among others, is a medication of the corticosteroid
type It is available as an inhaler, nebulization
solution, pill, nasal spray, and rectal forms . The
inhaled form is used in the long-term management
of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). The nasal spray is used for allergic
rhinitis and nasal polyps. The pills in a delayed
release form and rectal forms may be used for
inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic
colitis.Common side effects with the inhaled form
include respiratory infections, cough, and
headaches. Common side effects with the pills
include feeling tired, vomiting, and joint pains.[6]
Serious side effects include an increased risk of
infection, loss of bone strength, and cataracts.
Long-term use of the pill form may cause adrenal
insufficiency. Stopping the pills suddenly following
long-term use may therefore be dangerous. The
inhaled form is generally safe in pregnancy.
Budesonide chiefly acts as a
glucocorticoid.Budesonide was initially patented in
1973. Commercial use as an asthma medication
began in 1981. It is on the World Health
Organization's List of Essential Medicines.Some
forms are available as a generic medication.In
2019, generic budesonide was listed as involved in
Teva's price fixing scheme in the United States.In
2020, it was the 207th most commonly prescribed
medication in the United States, with more than 2
million prescriptiON
 Absorption
Extended release oral capsules are 9-21% bioavailable. 9,10 A
9mg dose reaches a Cmax of 1.50±0.79ng/mL with a Tmax of 2-
8h and an AUC of 7.33ng*hr/mL.9,10 A high fat meal
increases the Tmax by 2.3h but otherwise does not affect the
pharmacokinetics of budesonide.9,10
180-360µg metered inhaled doses of budesonide are 34%
deposited in the lungs, 39% bioavailable, and reach a C max of
0.6-1.6nmol/L with a Tmax of 10 minutes.11
A 1mg nebulized dose is 6% bioavailable, reaching a C max of
2.6nmol/L with a Tmax of 20 minutes.12
A 9mg oral extended release tablet reaches a C max of
1.35±0.96ng/mL with a Tmax of 13.3±5.9h and an AUC of
16.43±10.52ng*hr/mL.15Budesonide rectal foam 2mg twice
daily has an AUC of 4.31ng*hr/mL.16

BRAND NAME
NAME DOSAGE STRENGTH ROUTE LABELLER
Budesonide Aerosol, foam 28 mg/1 Rectal Oceanside
Pharmaceutical
Budesonide Capsule, extended 3 mg Oral Tillotts Pharma
release
Budesonide Spray, metered 32 ug/1 Nasal Astra Zeneca Lp
Budesonide Capsule 3 mg/1 Oral Padagis US LLC
Cortiment Tablet, extended 9 mg Oral Ferring Pharma
release
Entocort Capsule, extended 3 mg Oral Tillotts Pharma
release
Entocort EC Capsule 3 mg/1 Oral Padagis US LLC
Entocort EC Capsule 3 mg/1 Oral Prometheus Lab
Entocort EC Capsule 3 mg/1 Oral AstraZeneca
Pharmaceutical
Entocort EC Capsule 3 mg/1 Oral Physicians Total
Entocort Enema Enema; Kit; Tablet 2.3 mg Rectal Tillotts Pharma
Jorveza Tablet, orally 1 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
disintegrating
Jorveza Tablet, orally 0.5 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
disintegrating
Jorveza Tablet, orally 0.5 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
NAME DOSAGE STRENGTH ROUTE LABELLER
disintegrating
Jorveza Tablet, orally 1 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
disintegrating
Jorveza Tablet, orally 1 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
disintegrating
Jorveza Tablet, orally 0.5 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
disintegrating
Jorveza Tablet, orally 0.5 mg Oral Dr. Falk Pharma
disintegrating

NAME DOSAGE STRENGTH ROUTE LABELLER

Budesonide Suspension 0.5 Respiratory Cardinal Health
mg/2mL (inhalation)
Budesonide Capsule, 3 mg/1 Oral Northstar Rx Llc.
coated
pellets
Budesonide Suspension 1 mg/2mL Respiratory Sun
(inhalation) Pharmaceutical
Industries, Inc.
Budesonide Suspension 1 mg/2mL Respiratory Sandoz Inc
(inhalation)
Budesonide Capsule, 3 mg/1 Oral American Health
coated
NAME DOSAGE STRENGTH ROUTE LABELLER
pellets Packaging
Budesonide Capsule, 3 mg/1 Oral Major
delayed Pharmaceuticals
release
Budesonide Suspension 0.5 Respiratory Dispensing
mg/2mL (inhalation) Solutions, Inc.
Budesonide Inhalant 0.25 Respiratory Nephron
mg/2mL (inhalation) Pharmaceuticals
Corporation
Budesonide Capsule, 3 mg/1 Oral Mylan
delayed Pharmaceuticals
release Inc.
Budesonide Capsule 3 mg/1 Oral Mylan
Institutional Inc.