Budesonide rectal foam and enemas are used to treat ulcerative colitis. These medicines are inserted into your bottom (rectum).
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where you get swelling (inflammation), and sometimes ulcers, in the lining of your bowel. The most common symptoms are stomach (abdominal) pain and diarrhoea with blood in it.
Budesonide is a type of medicine known as a steroid or corticosteroid.
Budesonide rectal foam and enemas do not cure ulcerative colitis. However, they can help symptoms by reducing the inflammation in your bowel.
This medicine is only available on prescription.
Budesonide also comes as:
- budesonide inhalers – for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- budesonide nasal spray – for allergic rhinitis, hay fever and nasal polyps
- budesonide tablets, capsules and granules – for inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and autoimmune hepatitis
Key facts
- You'll usually use budesonide rectal foam or an enema once a day. Do not use it for longer than 8 weeks, unless your doctor says so.
- Budesonide rectal foam and enemas help with symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhoea with blood in it. For most people, symptoms start to improve after 1 or 2 weeks.
- Using budesonide rectal foam or enemas can mean you're more likely to get infections. Tell your doctor if you get an infection, such as coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you come into contact with anyone who has shingles, chickenpox or measles while you're using budesonide.
- You may get a blue steroid treatment card if you need high doses of budesonide to control your symptoms. You may also need to carry a red steroid emergency card. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about both of these.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you're using budesonide rectal foam or enemas. It can affect the way the medicine works.