Pulmicort Respules (Budesonide)

Do’s

• Shake the Pulmicort respule gently before each use.
• Use the correct strength of Pulmicort as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Inhale the medication through a nebulizer following your healthcare provider's instructions, typically once or twice daily. Breathe calmly and deeply for 5-10 minutes or until the mist stops.
• Gargle, rinse your mouth with water and spit after each use to prevent mouth dryness, irritation, or yeast infections. Wash your face where the mask/mouthpiece is touched to prevent skin reactions.
• Use Pulmicort regularly at consistent times for optimal benefit.
• Consult your healthcare provider before stopping Pulmicort or changing your dosage.

Don'ts

• Don't use Pulmicort respules in an ultrasonic nebulizer (consult your healthcare provider for a compatible nebulizer type).
• Don't mix Pulmicort with other medications in the nebulizer.
• Don't get Pulmicort medication in your eyes.
• Don't increase your Pulmicort dosage or use it more often without consulting your healthcare provider.
• Don't stop taking your regular inhaled corticosteroids abruptly, especially if you've been on them for a long time. Talk to your healthcare provider about tapering the dose.

Common side effects:

• Nasal congestion
• Nausea
• Runny nose
• Pharyngitis (soreness and swelling in the throat)
• Nasopharyngitis (soreness and swelling in the nose and nasal passages)
• Dryness or soreness of the throat
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches and pains
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Bruising easily
• Chills
• Colds
• Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
• Stuffy nose
• Ear infections
• Gastroenteritis (inflammation in the stomach and intestine caused by a virus)
• Nosebleeds
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention include:

• Worsening asthma symptoms
• Wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medication
• White patches or sores inside the mouth or on the lips
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or swelling
• Signs of infection (such as ear pain, sore throat, fever, chills)
• Oral thrush (yeast infection) due to prolonged or repeated use
• Unusual tiredness, vision problems, easy bruising/bleeding, puffy face, unusual hair growth
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or swelling
• Increased wheezing right after taking Pulmicort Respules

This is not an exhaustive list, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking Pulmicort respules,  contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any allergies, especially to budesonide.

Inform your healthcare provider about any of the following conditions:

• Eye diseases (cataracts, glaucoma)
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• Thyroid problems
• Diabetes
• Stomach/intestinal problems (diverticulitis, ulcer)
• Bone loss (osteoporosis)
• Past or present infections (tuberculosis, herpes, fungal)
• Bleeding problems
• Mental/mood conditions (psychosis, anxiety, depression)

Inform your healthcare provider if you've switched from oral steroids to Pulmicort Respules within the past year or have been using high doses for a long time. This may affect your body's response to stress.

Pulmicort Respules may mask signs of infection and increase your risk of getting infections.

Avoid people with contagious illnesses (chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu).

Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you use before surgery or any medical procedures.

Pulmicort Respules may slow down growth in children. Regular healthcare provider visits to monitor height are recommended.

Pulmicort Respules should only be used during pregnancy if clearly necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Pulmicort Respules passes into breast milk. Consult your healthcare provider before breastfeeding.