Pulmicort 1 mg Respules

Pulmicort 1 mg Respules contains budesonide, a corticosteroid medicine used to help control asthma symptoms by reducing swelling and irritation in the airways. Each pack contains 1 mg of budesonide in a respule form that is inhaled with a nebulizer, and this product is used for maintenance treatment rather than quick relief of sudden breathing problems. As a steroid inhalation medicine, Pulmicort 1 mg Respules is prescribed to help prevent wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath in people with asthma. It does not work right away for an acute asthma attack.

How it works: Budesonide works by calming inflammation inside the airways, which helps them stay less swollen and less sensitive to triggers. In this inhaled respule form, the medicine is delivered directly to the lungs with a nebulizer so it can act where asthma inflammation happens.

Pulmicort 1 mg Respules is a higher-strength budesonide respule, so it is generally chosen for people whose asthma needs a stronger maintenance dose after a doctor has assessed their symptoms and control. Compared with lower-strength respules, the 1 mg product delivers more medicine per treatment, which may be used when a lower dose is not enough to keep inflammation down.

• Maintenance treatment of asthma
• Control of airway inflammation
• Help reduce wheezing
• Help prevent chest tightness
• Help lower shortness of breath from asthma

• Use Pulmicort 1 mg Respules only with a jet nebulizer and the exact nebulizer setup your doctor or pharmacist recommends.
• Do not swallow the respule; it is meant to be inhaled as a nebulized treatment.
• Open the foil pouch only when you are ready to use the respule, and use it right away after opening.
• Follow the prescribed schedule exactly; this medicine is usually taken regularly, not only when symptoms start.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit after each treatment to help lower the risk of oral thrush.
• If you also use a rescue inhaler, keep it available for sudden symptoms because Pulmicort 1 mg Respules is not a rescue medicine.

Each Pulmicort 1 mg Respules contains 1 mg of budesonide per respule, which is a relatively high maintenance strength compared with lower-dose budesonide respules. The exact number of treatments per day depends on the doctor’s plan; some patients use it once daily, while others may be told to use it more than once daily, but the maximum daily amount must come from the prescriber because it varies by age, severity, and prior treatment. Do not increase the dose on your own or use extra doses for sudden breathing trouble.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Budesonide may include:

• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Throat irritation
• Cough after inhalation
• Oral thrush (yeast infection in the mouth), more likely if you do not rinse after use
• Upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose or sore throat
• Headache

• Pulmicort 1 mg Respules is for asthma maintenance, not for sudden asthma attacks.
• This is a higher-strength budesonide product, so use only the dose your doctor prescribed.
• Rinse and spit after each treatment to reduce the chance of thrush.
• Tell your doctor if you have a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection before starting treatment.
• Use caution if you have liver disease, since budesonide levels may be higher in the body.
• Tell your clinician about eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts, especially with long-term use.
• If symptoms are getting worse or you need your rescue inhaler more often, contact your doctor promptly.

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin can raise budesonide levels.
• Ritonavir or cobicistat-containing medicines may significantly increase steroid exposure.
• Other corticosteroids, including oral or injected steroids, can add to steroid side effects.
• Live vaccines may need special consideration if you are using higher-dose corticosteroid therapy.
• Certain seizure medicines and other enzyme inducers may lower budesonide levels.

Store Pulmicort 1 mg Respules in the original foil pouch, protect from light, and use each respule as directed once opened.