Budesonide

Administration

• Type: Inhaled corticosteroid
• Dosage Forms: 3 DR
• Routes of Administration: Inhaled
• Common Trade Names: Pulmicort

Adult Dosing

• 1.5-2 mg NEB q 6 hr
  • Do not mix with other nebulized medications and rinse mouth after use

Pediatric Dosing

• Asthma maintenance
  • 1-8 yo w/ prior bronchodilator alone
    • 0.25-0.5 mg/day NEB divided qd-BID
      • Start: 0.5 mg/day
      • Max: 0.5 mg/day. Titrate to lowest effective dose.
  • 1-8 yo w/ prior inhaled steroid
    • 0.25-1 mg/day NEB divided qd-BID
      • Start: 0.5mg/day
      • Max: 1 mg/day. Titrate to lowest effective dose.
  • 1-8 yo w/ prior oral steroid
    • 0.25-1 mg/day NEB divided qd-BID
      • Start: 1 mg/day
      • Max: 1 mg/day. Titrate to lowest effective dose. Taper oral steroid gradually after >1 week.
• Eosinophilic esophagitis
  • <11 yo: 1 mg PO qd x4-12 weeks
    • Mix 1 mg/2mL NEB w/ 5 g sucralose to form PO slurry.
    • Avoid food/drink x30 min after each dose
  • 11+ yo: 2 mg PO qd x4-12 weeks
    • Mix 2 mg/4mL NEB w/ 10 g sucralose to form PO slurry.
    • Avoid food/drink x30 min after each dose

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: B; drug of choice for pregnant pts w/ persistent asthma
• Lactation risk: L3; Safety unknown

Renal Dosing

• Adult: Not defined
• Pediatric: Not defined

Hepatic Dosing

• Adult: Not defined. Monitor closely with impairment.
• Pediatric: Not defined. Monitor closely with impairment.

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Asthma, acute
• Status asthmaticus

Pharmacology

• Half-life:
• Metabolism:
• Excretion: