Pulmicort
(budesonide)
Controls asthma.
Our bottom line
Pulmicort (budesonide) is good for controlling and preventing asthma symptoms in children, but it's not a rescue inhaler and requires a jet nebulizer machine.
- Drug class: Respiratory
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (budesonide)
Upsides
- Pulmicort (budesonide) is an inhaled corticosteroid, which is the most effective class of medicines to manage children's asthma when taken daily.
- Taking Pulmicort (budesonide) into the lungs has fewer side effects than taking a pill by mouth.
- Using a jet nebulizer is easier to use than a handheld inhaler, especially for children.
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What to expect from Pulmicort, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- Can take up to 2 to 8 days for better control of asthma symptoms and up to 4 to 6 weeks for maximum effects.
- Can cause fungal infections of the mouth and throat, especially if the child doesn't rinse his or her mouth after use.
- Only to be used by children ages 12 months to 8 years.
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What to expect from Pulmicort, on one page
Download Fact SheetPulmicort (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: Lower-cost generic available (budesonide)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Nebulizer solution
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$80.90
- Get free coupon
$80.90
What to expect when you take Pulmicort (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
- Runny, stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Yeast infection
- Nosebleed
- Viral infection
Side effect rates for Pulmicort (budesonide)
- Runny, stuffy nose11%11%9%9%
- Ear infection11%11%11%11%
- Coughing9%9%5%5%
- Viral infection5%5%3%3%
- Stomach flu5%5%4%4%
- Vomiting4%4%3%3%
- Diarrhea4%4%2%2%
- Nosebleed4%4%1%1%
- Pink eye4%4%2%2%
- Rash4%4%3%3%
- Yeast infection3%3%2%2%
- Stomach pain2%2%2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Pulmicort.
People taking Pulmicort felt side effect more
People taking Pulmicort felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Pulmicort (budesonide)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Long-term use of Pulmicort (budesonide)
- › History of glaucoma
- › History of high eye pressure
- › History of cataracts
Using Pulmicort (budesonide) for a long time can raise eye pressure, worsen glaucoma, and cause cataracts (cloudy lenses in the eyes). Talk to the child's pediatrician right away if the child experiences blurry vision, eye discomfort, or other changes in his or her vision after using Pulmicort (budesonide). Do not let the medicine enter the child's eyes.