Pulmicort
Budesonide
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Pulmicort
Pulmicort is an inhaled corticosteroid. It acts by reducing and preventing inflammation (which cause irritation and swelling in the airways), which helps to control or prevent symptoms of asthma.
Therapeutic Uses of Pulmicort
Pulmicort is used in treatment of asthma and its symptoms. It can also be used for other medical conditions as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Pulmicort
Use Pulmicort as per direction of your doctor. Read the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. An extra patient leaflet is also available with Pulmicort.
Pulmicort is inhaled through the mouth. If you are using Pulmicort for the first time, you should take a new Pulmicort Inhaler, prime it and twist the inhaler cover and lift it. Hold the Inhaler upright with the mouthpiece on top and turn the grip fully in one direction, then turn it fully in the other direction until it clicks and it. You can turn it in either direction. Do not re-prime the inhaler, because you need to prime the inhaler only once, even if you do not use it for a long period of time. The inhaler is now ready for use.
Hold the Inhaler (do not shake the inhaler) upright with the mouthpiece on top and turn your head away from the inhaler and breathe out fully. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and inhale forcefully and deeply (you may not feel the medicine during inhaling) and hold your breath for as long as you can without discomfort or at least for 10 seconds. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out fully and you should not breathe out through the inhaler. Do not bite or chew the mouthpiece. If more than 1 inhalation is needed to complete your dose, repeat the previous steps. Replace the mouthpiece cover after each use. Keep the inhaler clean and dry after use.
Rinse your mouth with tape water after each use to help prevent mouth or throat infections (candida fungal infection known as oral thrush). Do not swallow the rinse water. Spit it out.
Pulmicort comes with a dose counter located just below the mouthpiece to help you to keep track of how many doses are left in your inhaler. The dose counter will count down every time a dose inhaled, it moves after intervals of about 5 doses. Do not use this inhaler after the number "0" on the red background has reached the middle of the dose counter window because it may be no longer give the correct amount of medicine with each dose.
Keep using Pulmicort even if you feel well without missing any dose. Use Pulmicort on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
If You Miss a Dose of Pulmicort
If you forget to take an inhalation of Pulmicort, you should take it as soon as you can remember it. If it is almost time for next inhalation, you should avoid the missed inhalation and go back to your regular inhalation schedule. Do not take extra inhalation for missing one.
How to Store Pulmicort
Pulmicort Inhaler should be stored at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store the Inhaler in a dry, dark and cool place and keep it out of reach of children. Do not store Pulmicort Inhaler in your bathroom.
More Information about Pulmicort
Each inhaler contains about 200 metered doses with each dose containing 100 mcg. When a red mark appears in the window under the mouthpiece, there are only 20 doses left and you should ideally get a new Inhaler, because it may not give correct amount of medicine with each inhalation after this mark is reached. The inhaler is empty when the red mark reaches the lower edge of the window. Discard the inhaler as it cannot be refilled. Laboratory and/or medical tests (like morning cortisol levels) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor or other health care provider if you have any question about Pulmicort. Do not share this medication with others.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Pulmicort
Some medical conditions may interact with Pulmicort. Inform your doctor or other health care provider if you have any medical condition that may interact with Pulmicort, especially if any of the conditions given below:
- If you are pregnant, planning to have a baby, or if you are breast feeding.
- If you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement.
- If you have allergy to any medicine, foods, or other substances like milk protein.
- If you have a positive tuberculosis skin test or have recently been vaccinated with live organisms like tuberculosis vaccine.
- If you have increased intra-ocular pressure in the eye (glaucoma); cataracts in eyes, herpes infection of the eye; a bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection; viral infection like chickenpox, measles, shinglesetc.; diarrhea, tuberculosis, or osteoporosis.
Some medicines may interact with Pulmicort. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines that may interact with Pulmicort, especially any of the following medicines:
- Carbamazepine, rifampin, barbiturates like Phenobarbital, hydantoins like phenytoin, because they may decrease effectiveness of Pulmicort.
- Hormonal contraceptives (like birth control pills, patches, implants etc.), imidazole antifungals ( ketoconazole, itraconazole etc.), or macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin etc.), because they may increase the risk of side effects of Pulmicort.
- Live vaccines or ritodrine because the risk of the side effects of these medicines, may be increased by Pulmicort.
Possible Adverse Effects of Pulmicort
- Nasal congestion, irritation of throat, nausea etc. are the common and less serious side effects of Pulmicort. Consult your doctor if any of the common side effects become persistent and bothersome to you.
- If improperly used and instruction of use and after-use are not followed oral candidiasis may develop which is seen as white patch, single or multiple. Consult your doctor if you develop oral candidiasis, because you may need to be treated promptly.
- Consult your doctor if you develop any serious side effects of Pulmicort. The serious side effects of Pulmicort are allergic reaction ( symptoms are rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue etc.); depression, ear pain, ear discharge; mood changes; worsening asthma symptoms like increased wheezing (breath sounds due to narrowing of airway); severe and persistent diarrhea, severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; signs of infection (fever, chills, or sore throat); vision changes; white patches in the mouth or throat.
