Pulmicort Flexhaler
(budesonide)
Controls asthma.
Our bottom line
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) is good for controlling and preventing asthma symptoms, but it's not a rescue inhaler and must be taken daily.
- Price before coupon$335.24
- Lowest price with coupon$248.97
- Savings26%
- Drug class: Respiratory
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) is an inhaled corticosteroid, which is the most effective class of medicines to manage asthma when taken daily. People can notice an improvement in asthma control within 24 hours of starting treatment.
- Taking Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) into the lungs has fewer side effects than taking a pill by mouth.
- Safe for use by children 6 years and older.
- Doesn't need to be primed again after the first prime, even if you haven't used it for a long time.
Downsides
- Can take 1 to 2 weeks or more for full benefit on asthma symptoms.
- Can cause fungal infections of the mouth and throat, especially if you don't rinse your mouth after use.
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) is a corticosteroid. It lowers inflammation in your lungs, which controls asthma and prevents asthma attacks.
- Drug class: Respiratory
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Inhaler
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$248.97
- Get free coupon$248.97
What to expect when you take Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) for Asthma
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Mouth yeast infection
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose
- Nausea
- Viral stomach flu
- Viral infection of airways, nose, and throat
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide)
- Common cold symptoms9%9%8%8%
- Stuffy nose3%3%
- Sore throat3%3%2%2%
- Runny, stuffy nose2%2%1%1%
- Viral infection of airways, nose, and throat2%2%1%1%
- Nausea2%2%1%1%
- Viral stomach flu2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Pulmicort Flexhaler.
People taking Pulmicort Flexhaler felt side effect more
People taking Pulmicort Flexhaler felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Milk protein allergy
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) contains a milk product called lactose. Don't take Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) Flexhaler if you have an allergy to milk products. Call 911 or your doctor right away if you develop severe rash, itching, swelling or difficulty breathing while taking Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide).