Budesonide is used to reduce swelling (inflammation), which helps to control symptoms of some conditions.
Budesonide is a type of medicine called a steroid (or corticosteroid). Steroids are copies of hormones your body makes naturally. They are not the same as anabolic steroids.
It comes as tablets, capsules, granules and tablets that dissolve on your tongue. These different types of budesonide medicine have different brand names and are used for different conditions.
Most brands of budesonide, including Cortiment slow-release tablets and Entocort capsules, are used for inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and microscopic colitis.
Capsules called by the brand name Budenofalk can also be used for autoimmune hepatitis, a condition where the immune system attacks the liver.
Tablets called by the brand name Jorveza dissolve on your tongue and are used for inflammation in the food pipe (eosinophilic oesophagitis).
Budesonide tablets, capsules and granules are only available on prescription.
Budesonide also comes as an inhaler, a nasal spray, a rectal foam and an enema, for treating other conditions. Read about:
- budesonide inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- budesonide nasal spray for cold-like symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis, hay fever and nasal polyps
- budesonide rectal foam and enemas for ulcerative colitis affecting the lower gut and anus
Important: NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) advice
As long as you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, carry on taking your prescribed steroid medicine as usual.
If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, do not stop taking your steroid medicine suddenly. Ask your doctor about whether you need to stop taking it or not.
Updated: 14 June 2022
Key facts
- You'll usually take budesonide 1 to 3 times a day, depending on your dose, type of medicine, and brand.
- Common side effects can include stomach pain or indigestion, muscle pain, headaches, skin reactions and mouth thrush (oral thrush).
- Taking budesonide tablets, capsules or granules can mean you're more likely to get infections. Tell your doctor if you come into contact with anyone who has shingles, chickenpox or measles. These infections can make you very ill.
- If you take budesonide for more than 3 weeks, or you're on a high dose, you'll get a blue steroid card. You may also need to carry a (red) steroid emergency card. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about both of these.
- Keep taking budesonide until your doctor tells you to stop or you have finished your course, even if you feel better.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you're taking budesonide, as it can increase the chance of side effects.