Warnings & Recalls for Pulmicort
Risks While Taking Pulmicort
Pulmicort and Osteoporosis
Extended use of Pulmicort (or any other steroids) can cause
osteoporosis (bone loss). Persons more likely to develop osteoporosis include those who:
- smoke frequently
- do not exercise
- lack healthy amounts vitamin D or calcium in their diet
- have a family history of bone loss
Withdrawal from Pulmicort
Do not stop using Pulmicort unless your doctor instructs you to do so. Sudden ending of treatment with Pulmicort may cause a
withdrawal. Your doctor may gradually decrease your dosage to prevent this. See "Side Effects" tab for details on withdrawal symptoms.
Decreased Immune System and Pulmicort
Pulmicort is a steroid and can
increase the possibility of an infection.
Avoid sick people while taking Pulmicort.
Let your healthcare provider know if you have been exposed to any infections or diseases, especially
chicken pox and measles, you may be prescribed preventive treatment to avoid
serious illness or
death.
Patients may have an
increased risk of asthma attack after ending treatment with Pulmicort.
Do not receiveany
vaccinations or
immunizaitons while taking Pulmicort, they may be
ineffective.
Children and Pulmicort
Pulmicort
should not be given to anyone
under 6 years of age without consent from a healthcare provider. Pulmicort can
slow growth rate in children. Tell your doctor if your child is taking Pulmicort and have
regular check-ups.
In June 2009, the
FDA approved
label changes for
Pulmicort including warnings about the ingredients of Pulmicort. Pulmicort powder contains small amounts of
lactose and patients who are lactose intolerant should take this medication with
caution.
Before starting treatment with Pulmicort, it is important to
let your doctor know if you have:
- any allergies
- a history of tuberculosis
- osteoporosis or a family history of osteoporosis
- ever had kidney or liver disease
- any infections
- herpes of the eyes
Tell your doctor if you are using any other medications. Some drugs an interfere with Pulmicort such as HIV or AIDS medications, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-depressants (SSRI or tricyclic), alcohol and others.
Pulmicort and Pregnancy
Pulmicort has been assigned by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a
pregnancy Caterogy B medication. Pulmicort is
not known to cause harm to the fetus if used during
pregnancy. However, if taken while breastfeeding, Pulmicort
can be passed through breast-milk and
harm a
nursing baby. Before taking Pulmicort,
let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Pulmicort Treatment and Use
Pulmicort | Budesonide is a nasal inhalant corticosteroid (steroid) marketed by AtraZeneca for preventing symptoms of asthma and treating non-infectious irritation or swelling of the mucus membranes. Pulmicort may also be used for treating nasal polyposis or mucous membrane overgrowth in the nose and sinuses. Pulmicort may be prescribed for:
- preventing asthma attacks
- reducing inflammation in the nasal passageway
- treating hay fever
- decreasing allergy symptoms
- treating patients with Crohn’s disease
- lung diseases (including bronchitis)
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema
Pulmicort does not treat an asthma attack that has already started. If you are having an asthma attack, use your quick-relief inhaler as instructed by your doctor.
How Does Pulmicort Work?
Pulmicort works by flowing through airways directly to the lungs to decrease the swelling which can cause an asthma attack. Through this action, muscles in the airways relax and widen, and less mucus is produced.
How Should Pulmicort Be Taken?
Pulmicort comes in powder form to be inhaled orally. Read all instructions in the Pulmicort inhaler package and directions given to you by your doctor. Do not take more Pulmicort than prescribed. Pulmicort is typically prescribed to be taken once or twice each day in treatments lasting 5 to 10 minutes while inhaling Pulmicort slowly until mist is no longer being produced into the face mask. While using Pulmicort:
- do not use an ultrasonic nebulizer for the treatment
- do not combine other drugs with Pulmicort in the nebulizer
- be sure to wash the face mask and mouthpiece after each use
- avoid contact of Pulmicort with the eyes
After completing your intake of Pulmicort, thoroughly rinse out your mouth to prevent the risk of an oral yeast infection.
It may take up to 8 days to notice relief from the symptoms, and several weeks to reach full benefit from Pulmicort. Let your doctor know if symptoms of asthma worsen or do not go away after 14 days.
