Budecort (Budesonide 1mg/2ml) Respules

Budecort Respules general information

What is Budecort Respules used for?

Difficulty breathing due to asthma is caused by inflammation of the lungs and narrowing of the airways.  Asthma affects the small airways of the lungs called bronchioles, and if you suffer from asthma, you will be familiar with asthma medication taken using an inhaler.  Budecort Respules 1mg is an inhaled medication used to treat inflammation of the airways.

Asthma symptoms and triggers

Symptoms of asthma include wheezing and coughing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of breath.  Having asthma means you have sensitive airways that are reactive to specific triggers.  These include triggers that cause an allergic reaction, such as pollen, dust or mould, and this type of asthma is called allergic asthma.  Non-allergic asthma triggers include irritants like an inhaled chemical, cigarette smoke, cold air, an infection, stress, exercise or some medications.  Exercise-induced asthma is a particular type of asthma that only happens after exertion but can last for over an hour after you stop exercising. 

Eventually, exposure to an asthma trigger causes inflammation of the sensitive bronchiole lining so that they become swollen and inflamed.  Another sign of inflammation of the airways is the overproduction of mucus, usually produced to keep the airways moist, and this further blocks the airways. 

Bronchioles are lined by bands of smooth muscle that are usually relaxed, allowing the bronchioles to expand and air to pass freely through into the air sacs or alveoli of the lungs.  When they become inflamed, the smooth muscle contracts, which narrows the bronchioles making breathing difficult as it becomes harder to inhale and requires more effort to blow air out of the lungs.  This narrowing of the bronchioles is called bronchospasm. 

If the bronchioles are already in a state of chronic inflammation, an asthma trigger may cause sudden constriction and narrowing of the bronchioles, which can cause an asthma attack.

Croup

Croup, also called acute laryngotracheobronchitis, is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and is a common illness in young children.  It causes inflammation and swelling of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe), with increased mucus production, which narrows the airways and interferes with normal breathing.  Symptoms of croup include difficult and laboured breathing known as stridor, a barking cough, and a hoarse voice. 

Types of inhaled asthma medication

Budecort is known as a preventer type of asthma inhaler as it is used to control the underlying inflammation of the airways.  Budecort Respules are used in a nebulizer, which converts the medication from a liquid into a fine mist or aerosol that is easy to inhale.  This type of delivery is particularly helpful if you have trouble using a pressurised inhaler or a dry powder inhaler.  Also, for children who cannot manage an inhaler.

Budecort Respules are used for long-term treatment of asthma, including exercise-induced asthma, to manage symptoms and prevent exacerbations of asthma (worsening of symptoms) and asthma attack, but it is not used to provide immediate relief of asthma attack, for this, you should use a different type of reliever inhaler called a bronchodilator.  Budecort Respules are also used to treat croup to relieve symptoms of inflammation. 

How does Budecort Respules work?

Budecort Respules 1mg contains budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid anti-inflammatory medication used to treat asthma and croup, to reduce inflammation of the airways.  Budesonide in Budecort Respules acts directly at the site of inflammation in the airways, and very little enters the bloodstream so that it has minimal effect on the rest of the body (systemic effect). 

Corticosteroids like budesonide are synthetic steroid hormones that have potent anti-inflammatory action.  Budesonide in Budecort Respules works by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals produced by specific cells of the immune system, including leukocytes and macrophages, that are recruited to the site of inflammation.  These chemicals include prostaglandins and leukotrienes, as well as other cytokines that attract more inflammatory cells and prolong the inflammatory response.  These chemicals are released into the airways in response to an asthma trigger, such as an allergen or irritants in the air, also in response to viral infection. 

Budecort Respules provide long-term control of underlying inflammation of the airways that causes asthma by reducing the sensitivity of the airways to asthma triggers.  This results in improved lung function and reduced asthma symptoms.  Budecort Respules also reduce inflammation of the upper airways that causes croup to relieve symptoms.

What does Budecort Respules contain?

Budecort Respules contains the active ingredient budesonide 1mg/2ml in aqueous suspension.  Each respule delivers a single dose of 1mg using a nebuliser, which creates a fine mist or aerosol for inhalation directly into the lungs. 

What are the side effects of Budecort Respules?

Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone.  Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Budecort Respules, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician. 

Common side effects when taking Budecort Respules include sore throat or tongue, difficulty swallowing, candida infection (thrush), hoarseness, cough, throat irritation.

When should Budecort Respules not be used?

Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Budecort Respules so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it.  There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Budecort Respules you should consider the following before taking Budecort Respules:

• Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when using Budecort Respules?
• Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
• Do you currently have an infection, as Budecort may hide some of the signs of infection?
• Do you have any problems with your liver?

What are the effects of Budecort on growth?

Long term use of Budecort Respules may affect growth in children, and this should be closely monitored.  This happens because budesonide in Budecort Respules stops the adrenal glands working efficiently to produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroid hormones. 

What medications interact with Budecort Respules?

Some medicines interact with Budecort Respules and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Budecort Respules or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician.  These may include ritonavir for HIV infection, antifungal drugs like ketoconazole and itraconazole, the antibiotic clarithromycin, which increase exposure to Budecort. 

If other medications may interact with Budecort Respules, your doctor will discuss these with you. 

How should Budecort Respules be used and for how long?

Budecort Respules should be inhaled using a nebulizer.  Add the contents of one respule into the nebulizer to be converted to a fine mist or aerosol.  You can then inhale the aerosol using a face mask or mouthpiece.  To reduce the risk of candida infection of the mouth or throat, you should rinse out your mouth with water after inhaling, also wash your face after using the nebulizer with a mask, to prevent skin irritation.  Each respule is a single dose, and you should use Budecort Respules twice daily. 

Asthma

The dose you inhale depends on the severity of your asthma, your age, prior asthma therapy (such as oral corticosteroids), and should be as recommended by your doctor.  Your symptoms will improve within a few days but it may take several weeks before Budecort is fully effective.  Once your symptoms have improved, your doctor may reduce your dose for maintenance treatment.  You should continue to use your Budecort respules for as long as recommended by your doctor, even if you feel better. 

Croup

In infants and children with croup, the contents of two Budecort respules should be inhaled using a nebulizer as a single dose or a single respule as two separate doses inhaled 30 minutes apart.  This can be repeated every 12 hours for a maximum of 36 hours or until symptoms improve. 

Missed dose of Budecort Respules

If you miss a dose of Budecort Respules take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Budecort Respules be stored?

You should store your Budecort Respules below 25°C in a cool dry place.