Monograph Details

Respiratory Tract > Asthma/COPD
PULMICORT RESPULES
Manufacturer
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
Legal Classification
Rx
Pharmacological Class
Steroid.
Generic Name
Budesonide (micronized) 0.25mg/2mL, 0.5mg/2mL, 1mg/2mL; susp for inhalation.
Also
PULMICORT FLEXHALER
Indications
Maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy.
Children
Use jet nebulizer; do not mix with other drugs. <6months: not recommended. 6–12months: see literature. 12months–8yrs: Previously on bronchodilators alone: 0.5mg/day once daily or in 2 divided doses (if symptomatic and unresponsive to nonsteroidal therapy, may start at 0.25mg once daily). Previously on inhaled corticosteroids: 0.5mg/day once daily or in 2 divided doses; max 1mg/day. Previously on oral corticosteroids: 1mg/day once daily or in 2 divided doses. Rinse mouth and face (if face mask used) after use.
Adults
Use Flexhaler.
Contraindications
Not for primary treatment of acute attack.
Precautions
Maintain regular regimen. Infections. If exposed to chickenpox or measles, consider antiinfective prophylactic therapy. Adrenal insufficiency may occur when transferring patients from systemic corticosteroids to inhaled corticosteroids: see literature. Monitor for growth suppression in children. Post-op or during stress: monitor adrenal response. Monitor for hypercorticism and HPA axis suppression (if occur discontinue gradually). Transferring from oral corticosteroids: see literature. Pregnancy (Cat.B). Nursing mothers: not recommended.
Interactions
Caution with CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ketoconazole).
Adverse Reactions
Pulmicort Flexhaler: nasal congestion, allergic rhinitis, viral upper respiratory tract infection, oral candidiasis, viral gastroenteritis, nausea, bronchospasm (rare). Pulmicort Respules: Respiratory or other infection, GI upset, moniliasis, fatigue, cough, dysphonia, rash, epistaxis, bronchospasm (rare).
How Supplied
Flexhaler (90mcg/dose)—1 (60 inh)
Flexhaler (180mcg/dose)—1 (120 inh)
Respules—30
Additional Resources
Related Prescribing Note