Trade Names of Budesonide
The trade names of budesonide include Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Pulmicort Respules, Entocort, and Rhinocort, with Pulmicort being the most common brand for the inhaled formulation.
Inhaled Budesonide Formulations
Budesonide is available in several formulations with different trade names depending on the route of administration:
Respiratory Formulations
Pulmicort Turbuhaler: A dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation 1
- Achieves approximately twice the lung deposition compared to metered-dose inhalers
- Available in various strengths for adults and children
Pulmicort Respules: A suspension for nebulization 2
- First inhaled corticosteroid approved for administration via nebulizer in the US
- Only inhaled corticosteroid approved in the United States for infants as young as 12 months
- Available in 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg per 2 mL ampule strengths 3
Other Formulations
Entocort: Used for gastrointestinal conditions like ulcerative colitis
Rhinocort: Nasal spray formulation for allergic and vasomotor rhinitis 5
Clinical Applications
Budesonide is used in various clinical settings:
Asthma management: Available as Pulmicort Turbuhaler (DPI) or Pulmicort Respules (nebulizer solution) 6
- Can be administered once or twice daily depending on asthma severity
- Effective for both initial treatment and maintenance therapy
Inflammatory bowel disease: Used as Entocort (budesonide MMX) for ulcerative colitis 4
- Less effective than mesalamine for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis
- Not suitable for long-term maintenance therapy due to potential corticosteroid-related adverse effects
Pregnancy: Budesonide is the preferred inhaled corticosteroid during pregnancy 7
- Has FDA pregnancy category B rating
- Passes into breast milk in negligible amounts, making it safe during breastfeeding
Pharmacological Properties
- Budesonide is a non-halogenated glucocorticosteroid with a high ratio of topical to systemic activity 5
- It undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver (90%), which reduces systemic side effects 3
- Has approximately 200-fold higher affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor compared to cortisol 3
Administration Considerations
- For asthma, initial dosing typically ranges from 200-400 mcg twice daily, up to 800 mcg twice daily in adults 1
- Once-daily administration (400 mcg) can be as effective as twice-daily dosing (200 mcg twice daily) in mild-to-moderate asthma 8
- Morning and evening administration show similar efficacy when used once daily 8
Remember that the specific trade name may vary by country and region, with Pulmicort being the most widely recognized brand name for inhaled budesonide formulations.