Entocort EC (Budesonide)

Do’s

• Before starting to take Entocort EC, read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacist. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider for clarification.
• Take Entocort EC by mouth with or without food, as directed by your healthcare provider. Usually, it is taken once daily in the morning.
• Swallow the medication whole with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters), unless directed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
• If you have trouble swallowing the capsules whole, the capsule may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a tablespoonful of soft, cool applesauce in a clean container. After stirring, take all of the mixture without chewing, followed by a full glass of cool water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) to ensure the entire dose is swallowed. Take all of the mixture within 30 minutes after preparing it, without saving it for later use. 
• The dosage and length of treatment with Entocort EC are determined based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.
• Use Entocort EC regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit from it.
• Inform your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Don’ts

• Do not crush or chew the capsules, as this can lead to the release of all the drugs at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise, as grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine.
• If you are regularly taking a different corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, do not stop taking it unless directed by your healthcare provider. Some conditions may worsen, and withdrawal symptoms may occur if the drug is suddenly stopped. Your healthcare provider may slowly lower the dose of your old medication after you begin taking Entocort EC to help prevent withdrawal.
• Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed, as it will not improve your condition faster and may increase the risk of side effects.
• Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your healthcare provider, as some conditions may worsen when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Common Side Effects: 

• Bruising easily
• Chills
• Colds
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nausea
• Runny nose
• Shivering 

While not all of these side effects may occur, some serious side effects may need medical attention. Check with your healthcare provider immediately if any of these side effects occur.

Allergic Reaction: 

Signs of an allergic reaction may include hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. In case of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical help immediately.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. If you experience any unusual symptoms or side effects, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice. 

Inform your healthcare provider if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Entocort EC.

Consider reducing the dosage of Entocort EC to 3 mg once daily for adult patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B). Avoid use in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C).

Systemic corticosteroids, including Entocort EC, may cause a reduction of growth velocity in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients with Crohn's disease have a higher mean systemic exposure and cortisol suppression than adults with Crohn's disease.

When corticosteroids are used chronically, systemic effects such as hypercorticism and adrenal axis suppression may occur. Corticosteroids can reduce the response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to stress. In situations where patients are subject to surgery or other stress situations, supplementation with a systemic corticosteroid is recommended

Inform your healthcare provider about other medicines you are taking and any other medical conditions you have, as they may interact with Entocort EC.

If you have further questions about the warnings and precautions for Entocort EC, consult your healthcare provider for more details.