Pulmicort Flexhaler
(budesonide)
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Controls asthma.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
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.
Quick facts about Pulmicort Flexhaler
- 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.
Tried Pulmicort Flexhaler? Write a review!
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.
How it works
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) is a corticosteroid. It lowers inflammation in your lungs, which controls asthma and prevents asthma attacks.
Quick facts about Pulmicort Flexhaler
- Drug class: Respiratory
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Inhaler
Tried Pulmicort Flexhaler? Write a review!
Prices and coupons
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat 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
Side effect rates for Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide)
From 456 clinical trials of Pulmicort Flexhaler when taken for asthma (360 mcg bid)
- 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%
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Where we got our data »
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Pulmicort Flexhaler.
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide)
Placebo
People taking Pulmicort Flexhaler felt side effect more
People taking Pulmicort Flexhaler felt side effect less
No difference
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).