Description

Budesonide inhalers: Uses, dosage, side effects and safety

What is a budesonide inhaler?

Budesonide Inhalers contain a medicine called budesonide. Budesonide is a corticosteroid medicine that reduces swelling and inflammation in the airways. Doctors often prescribe them to help control the symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Budesonide is normally a preventer (not a quick relief inhaler) so patients must take it regularly as directed.

How Budesonide Inhalers Work?

Budesonide is used to decrease swelling and inflammation in the lungs. So it can help to prevent symptoms like coughing, wheezing and breathlessness. But budesonide alone does not give fast relief in an acute attack of asthma. Patients who need quick symptom relief usually require an extra reliever inhaler as prescribed in their treatment plan.

Uses of Budesonide Inhalers

Your healthcare team may prescribe Budesonide Inhalers for:

• Prevention and Control of Asthma
• Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
• Chronic management of airway inflammation

Some inhalers have budesonide and formoterol. In some treatment regimens, this combination can be used as a preventer and reliever. Hence, patients are recommended to adhere to the instructions provided for their specific inhaler.

Dosage & Administration

Budesonide inhalers are available in different strengths and types of inhalers. The right strength and dosing schedule will be determined by your doctor or specialist. Prescribed use may include one or two inhalations once or twice daily, depending on product and condition.

Always use your inhaler as directed. Also, take the inhaler regularly even if you are feeling good. Regular treatment will help to control the inflammation in the airways. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.

Typical Side Effects

Some people may have:

• Thrush (oral candida)
• Dry or sore throat
• Voice becomes hoarse
• *Cough*
• Headaches
• Nausea or stomach upset

After using your steroid inhaler, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth to reduce your risk of oral thrush and throat irritation.

Safety Precautions Important

Tell your health care professional if you have any other medical problems and all the medicines you take. The inhaled treatment reduces the amount of medicine that enters the rest of the body but high doses for a long time can increase the risk of systemic steroid side effects.

Monitoring of children who take larger doses for longer periods may also be necessary. People on high doses for a long time should be checked for problems such as adrenal insufficiency or weakened bones.

Using Your Inhaler the Right Way

Using inhalers correctly ensures that the medicine goes into the lungs effectively. Ask your doctor, nurse or chemist to review your technique regularly. Each inhaler device needs a different technique so always follow the instructions for your particular product.

Summary

Budesonide Inhalers can play an important role in controlling airway inflammation associated with asthma and COPD. Nevertheless, they work best when patients use them consistently and correctly. Because budesonide products differ in strength and formulation, follow your healthcare professional’s instructions and the leaflet supplied with your inhaler.