What is Uceris?

Uceris is an oral pill consisting of a corticosteroid drug called budesonide. This medication is also known as Cortiment and can be purchased in 9mg!

Uceris is an extended release medication used to treat symptoms caused by certain bowel conditions. One condition this medication may be prescribed for is Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs in the digestive tract (mainly the small intestine and colon) and causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea (may be bloody), and weight loss. The cause of this disease is unknown, yet it is believed genetics, environmental factors, and problems with the immune system may be the leading causes of Crohn’s disease. Another condition Uceris may be prescribed for is ulcerative colitis, another similar inflammatory bowel disease, affecting areas such as the large intestine and colon leaving irritation, inflammation, and ulcers. Ulcerative colitis occurs when the immune system “malfunctions”, believing that food, good gut bacteria, and other important cells that line your colon are intruders and will begin attacking them, causing inflammation.

Uceris (budesonide) is effective at treat certain inflammatory bowel diseases because it is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid drug which can decrease inflammation by decreasing the body’s immunes response.

Only take this medication the way it has been specifically prescribed to you. Do not take more or less of a dose than prescribe. If you use this drug long-term, you will need frequent medical tests. Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture, away from children and pets. Ensure the lid is tightly closed when not in use.

Take this medication around the time you wake up (in the morning). Swallow this tablet whole; do not crush, chew, or break it open.  Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember to take your dose, take it at the same time every day.

Do not use Uceris (budesonide)

This product should not be used by those who are allergic to budesonide or those who are under the age of 18 years old.

Dose adjustment or special precautions may be required

Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis, a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, a weak immune system, high blood pressure, cirrhosis or other liver disease, stomach ulcer, osteoporosis or low bone mineral density, eczema, any allergies, or diabetes, cataracts or glaucoma in either yourself or a family member.

Risks

It is not known if this medication will harm an unborn baby. Before using Uceris, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.

You should not breast feed while using this medication; budesonide can pass into breast milk and has potential to harm a nursing infant. If this concerns you; consult your doctor.

Common side effects of Uceris (budesonide) may include:

headache; nausea, stomach pain, gas, bloating, constipation; feeling tired; joint pain; acne; or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

The above side effects should not alarm you.

Serious side effects of Uceris (budesonide) may include:

thinning skin, easy bruising, increased acne or facial hair; swelling in your ankles; weakness, tiredness, or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding; pain or burning when you urinate; menstrual problems (in women), impotence or loss of interest in sex (in men); or stretch marks, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist).

If you have any of the above side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Please note this is not a complete list of side effects. Not everyone experiences side effects; they are not guaranteed. If you do have side effects and they become unmanageable, consult your doctor about alternate medications.

What is Budesonide?

Budesonide, sold under the brand name Uceris (known internationally as Cortiment), is a corticosteroid available as an extended release tablet in 9mg. It is administered by mouth, metabolized by an enzyme in the liver, and excreted through human waste with a half-life ranging between 2-3 hours. We carry the brand-name Uceris at My Drug Center, available to patients with a valid prescription.

What is Uceris used for?

Uceris is used for the treatment of a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the digestive tract, called Crohn’s disease. Within this disease, symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea (may be bloody), and weight loss may occur. If this condition is left untreated, it can spread throughout the intestinal tract and cause further complications (such as colon cancer, arthritis, fistulas, and osteoporosis); the condition itself is not considered terminal, but the complications of leaving it untreated can become life threatening. Using this medication can help reduce inflammation and symptoms of this condition and keep the symptoms from returning; it may also help prevent further complications from occurring.

How long does it take for Budesonide to work?

The exact amount of time it takes Budesonide to work may vary between each individual. Certain factors such as age, weight, gender, and genetic make-up play into the answer. Generally, Budesonide is taken for up to 8 weeks, which means it could take a couple months for the medication to reach clinical effects, but it may start working sooner, within a few weeks of starting treatment.

How long can you take Budesonide?

Most patients are prescribed Budesonide for up to 8 weeks (2 months) at a time. However, there are many factors that determine how long you can take a specific medication for, therefore, it is best to discuss this question with your doctor to get a more accurate personalized answer.

What does Budesonide do?

Budesonide works inside the intestines to reduce inflammation and decrease symptoms; however, the exact mechanism of Budesonide is unknown. If you have further questions in regards to how Budesonide works, you may want to consider speaking with your doctor or another health care professional.

Why is Budesonide so expensive?

Budesonide (Uceris) is an expensive medication, especially in the United States, and likely for a few reasons. First off, this medication is fairly new, as it was approved only in 2013; newer medications are often higher in price to make up for the high cost of developing, manufacturing, and marketing a new drug. Additionally, the brand-name product is not generally covered by Medicare plans, which means the entire cost comes from the patient’s pocket. In the United States, even the generic alternative is expensive, and though it is sometimes covered by Medicare (43% of plans cover the generic form), it is considered a tier 5 drug, also known as specialty drugs, which are the more expensive drugs available on the market and are usually needed for more complex or rare conditions.

How much does Uceris cost?

It depends on a few factors, mainly on whether you purchase the brand or generic product and if you purchase the medication locally (in the United States) or internationally. For example, a supply of 30 brand name tablets is about four hundred dollars more than a supply of 30 generic tablets in the United States. When you order internationally through My Drug Center, you can find a generic supply of 30 tablets for $1,123.00, close to six hundred dollars cheaper than the generic and close to 50% cheaper than the brand would cost in the United States.

How long does Budesonide stay in your system?

The exact amount of time it takes Budesonide to clear the system may vary between each individual. Certain factors such as age, weight, gender, and genetic make-up determine the answer. However, there is a way you can estimate the amount of time it may take to clear the system; by multiplying the half-life by 5. Budesonide has a half-life of about 2-3 hours, which means it will likely take up to 15 hours to clear the system, a little more than half a day.

What are the side effects of Budesonide?

The most common side effects of Budesonide include headache, nausea, stomach pain, feeling tired, joint pain, acne, or cold symptoms such as sore throat or stuffy nose. These side effects should not alarm you as they are a normal response of the body when taking a new medication. If they do become unmanageable or do not go away over time, you may want to consider consulting with your doctor. Keep in mind, there may be additional side effects not listed here.