What is Entocort?

This medication is used to treat certain inflammatory bowel conditions (such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis).  Entocort contains a Budesonide dosage, which is an anti-flammatory drug. This medication usually has fewer side effects than other corticosteroids because Budesonide works in the gut and only small amounts are absorbed into the body. While budesonide does not cure these conditions, it may decrease symptoms such as pain and diarrhea. It also works by decreasing the body's natural defense response (immune response).

Before taking your prescribed medication read all the instructions that was provided by your pharmacist. Take Entocort orally once in the morning with a tall glass of water. This medication can be taken with or without food. Make sure you take Entocort at the same time each day to create a routine for yourself and to ensure an even spread of medication in your system. 

This medication should be taken on a regular basis to have optimal results. Do not change or increase your dose. You should continue taking this medication even if you feel well. You should not break apart of crush this medication as it can effect how the medication is absorbed in your body.

Entocort (Budesonide) may contain medical and non medical ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction. Consult with your doctor about any known allergies before taking Entocort. Speak with your doctor about any known medical conditions relating to eye disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, stomach problems, bleeding problems, and mental/mood conditions. Tell your doctor about any current medications or supplementation to avoid interactions with Entocort.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interfere with how this medication is absorbed in your body. Avoid drinking or having grapefruit to ensure an effective treatment with Entocort.

The Budesonide dosage in Entocortand can interfere with vaccines and immunizations. You should avoid scheduling any immunization/vaccinations while taking Entocort. Additionally you should avoid people who have been recently had a vaccination. 

While taking Entocort your body may not show signs of infection. Washing your hands and practising good hygiene can help prevent the spread of infections or other diseases. Avoid coming into contact with transmittable infections like the flu, measles or chickenpox.

There is a risk of stomach bleeding with regular use of alcohol while taking Entocort. Avoid or limit alcohol during your treatment with Entocort. Additionally you can speak with your doctor on acceptable limits of alcohol.

Long term use of croticosteroids can cause your body to have challenges responding to physical stress. You should tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication before any surgery, operations, or any procedures. If this medication is required for long term use have an ID bracelet or documentation to help identify the use of this medication in cases where you might be unable to speak or explain your condition. 

Entocort (Budesonide) side effects include:

Nausea, heartburn, stomach pain, indigestion, headache, thinning of the skin, easy bruising, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, muscle pain, skin rash, or changes in your menstrual periods.

Other Entocort (Budesonide) side effects include:

Unusual tiredness, vision problems, easy bruising or bleeding, puffy face, unusual hair growth, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, agitation), or slow wound healing.

If any side effects of Budesonide become unmanageable, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for help in managing these mentioned side effects. For any serious side effects that occur speak with your doctor right away for further treatment options.

What is budesonide?

Budesonide is the active ingredient inside Entocort responsible for its therapeutic effect. Budesonide is a corticosteroid available in capsule form for oral administration, each capsule containing 3mg. You can buy budesonide online at My Drug Center with a valid prescription.

How to take Entocort (budesonide)?

Entocort, or budesonide capsules, should be taken orally with or without food as directed by your doctor. Capsules are commonly taken in the morning with a full glass of water. You should not chew or crush these capsules as it may increase your risk of side effects. Ensure you follow your doctor’s direction very carefully.

What is budesonide used for?

Budesonide, or Entocort, is used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. Using budesonide will help relieve symptoms of pain and diarrhea. The most common condition being Crohn’s disease, but budesonide will also help treat other inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.

What does budesonide do?

Often times IBDs (inflammatory bowel diseases) will cause the immune system to attack the lining of the intestines. This is what causes symptoms of diarrhea, pain, and rectal bleeding, among others. Budesonide is able to affect the immune system so it becomes weaker, causing less damage to the intestines and reducing symptoms.

How long does it take for budesonide to work?

When it comes to response times for effectiveness, each individual may experience a different length of time. Typically, it could take anywhere from 2-4 weeks for the full effect of budesonide to be felt, though effects typically begin working within 24 hours.

How long can you take budesonide?

Only your doctor can determine how long you can specifically take budesonide for. Though commonly, a 9mg capsule can be taken for up to 8 weeks and can be repeated once another episode occurs. During remission, your doctor will likely lower your dose to 6mg which is commonly taken once a day for 3 months.

Why is budesonide so expensive?

In the United States, Entocort and the generic budesonide are both expensive medications. The brand, Entocort, is not covered by medicare plans; therefore the entire cost comes out of the patient’s pocket. So, how much does Entocort cost? Generally, the retail price is in the thousands. As for the generic, it is covered by most medicare plans; however it is listed as tier 5 drug. This means it is considered a specialty drug, which are always higher priced. We carry both the brand choice and generic alternative at My Drug Center at a much lower affordable cost.

How long does budesonide stay in your system?

The approximate half life of budesonide is 2-3 hours. Based off this information, budesonide will take roughly 10-15 hours to completely clear out of your system following your last dose.

What are the side effects of budesonide?

Common side effects associated with budesonide includes headaches, nausea, stomach pain, gas, feeling tired, and cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat. This is not a complete list of side effects; side effects listed here are not guaranteed for each individual.

Who makes Entocort (budesonide)?

Entocort is manufactured by a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company called AstraZeneca.