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Topical / inhaled corticosteroid

Budesonide

Brand names: Pulmicort, Entocort, Jorveza, Cortiment, Budenofalk

Budesonide is a corticosteroid used as an inhaled preventer in asthma and COPD and in oral or rectal formulations for certain gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a glucocorticoid that binds intracellular corticosteroid receptors to suppress inflammatory gene transcription, with formulations designed to maximise local effect and limit systemic exposure through high first-pass metabolism.

Prescribing in practice

  • Inhaled formulations are preventers and provide no relief of acute bronchospasm, so a separate reliever is required.
  • Prolonged or high-dose use can cause systemic corticosteroid effects, and abrupt withdrawal after extended therapy should be avoided.
  • Different inhaler and oral formulations are not directly interchangeable and should be specified clearly.

Monitoring

Monitor disease control, growth in children on inhaled therapy, and signs of systemic corticosteroid effects with prolonged use.

Counselling the patient

  • Use the inhaler regularly as a preventer and rinse your mouth afterwards.
  • Carry a reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms.
  • Do not stop long-term treatment suddenly without advice.

Evidence & guidelines

Inhaled budesonide is well established in asthma maintenance per NICE and national asthma guidance.

Reference: NICE NG80; NICE NG129; BSG EoE; BTS asthma; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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