Topical / inhaled corticosteroid
Budesonide
Brand names: Pulmicort, Entocort, Jorveza, Cortiment, Budenofalk
Adult dose
Dose: Inhaled (asthma): 200–400 micrograms BD; Crohn's: 9mg OD oral; Eosinophilic oesophagitis: 1mg orodispersible BD
Route: Inhaled / Oral / PR
Frequency: OD–BD
Clinical pearls
- NICE NG80 / BTS asthma: ICS-backbone for asthma
- NICE NG129 Crohn's: budesonide for ileal/right colonic disease
- Jorveza first licensed for eosinophilic oesophagitis (BSG/UK EoE guidelines)
Contraindications
- Active untreated infection (TB, candidiasis)
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Inhaled: oral candidiasis, hoarseness; Oral: cushingoid features (less than systemic steroid)
- Adrenal suppression (high-dose, long-term)
- Bone density reduction
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, ketoconazole — increase systemic levels)
Monitoring
- Asthma: PEFR, ICS technique, oral candidiasis; Oral: weight, BP, HbA1c, bone health
Reference: BNF; NICE NG80; NICE NG129; BSG EoE; BTS asthma; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/budesonide/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024