From the Guidelines
Pulmicort is a brand name for budesonide, a corticosteroid medication used to prevent and control symptoms of asthma and other respiratory conditions. It works by reducing inflammation in the airways of the lungs, making breathing easier. According to the study by Denlinger et al. 1, budesonide has been shown to improve lung function and reduce asthma symptoms in patients with mild persistent asthma.
Key Points About Pulmicort
- Pulmicort is typically administered through an inhaler or nebulizer, with common dosages ranging from 180 to 360 mcg twice daily for adults, though this varies based on the severity of the condition and individual patient factors.
- The medication is not intended for immediate relief of acute asthma attacks but rather for long-term management and prevention of symptoms.
- When using Pulmicort, patients should rinse their mouth with water after each use to prevent oral thrush, a fungal infection that can occur as a side effect.
- It may take 1-2 weeks of regular use before the full benefits of the medication are experienced.
- Pulmicort works by binding to glucocorticoid receptors in the lungs, which reduces the production of inflammatory substances and helps prevent asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Recent Guidelines
The 2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines 1 suggest that intermittent ICS dosing, such as with budesonide, can be effective in children aged 0 to 4 years, with one regimen using budesonide inhalation suspension, 1 mg, twice daily for 7 days at the first sign of respiratory tract infection–associated symptoms. However, clinicians should carefully monitor length or height in children treated with the recommended regimen, as data regarding effects on growth are conflicting.
Administration and Monitoring
Caregivers can initiate intermittent ICS treatment at home without a visit to a health care provider when they have clear instructions, and clinicians should review the plan with the caregiver at regular intervals. Clinicians should consider this intervention in children who are not taking daily asthma treatment at the first sign of respiratory tract infection–associated symptoms. Overall, Pulmicort is an effective medication for the long-term management and prevention of asthma symptoms, and its use should be guided by recent clinical guidelines and individual patient factors.
From the FDA Drug Label
Budesonide inhalation suspension is a sterile suspension for inhalation via jet nebulizer and contains the active ingredient budesonide (micronized), and the inactive ingredients citric acid, edetate disodium dihydrate, polysorbate 80, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and water for injection. Pulmicort is budesonide inhalation suspension, a corticosteroid used for inhalation via jet nebulizer.
From the Research
Definition and Use of Pulmicort
- Pulmicort is a brand name for the medication budesonide, which is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) used to treat various respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 3.
- It is available in different forms, such as a dry powder inhaler (Pulmicort Turbuhaler) and an inhalation suspension (Pulmicort Respules), and can be used in patients as young as 12 months old 3.
Mechanism of Action and Efficacy
- Budesonide, the active ingredient in Pulmicort, works by reducing inflammation in the airways, which helps to improve breathing and prevent exacerbations of respiratory conditions 4, 5.
- Studies have shown that Pulmicort is effective in controlling mild-to-moderate persistent asthma in patients aged 12 months and older, and it is well tolerated with a low risk of side effects 3.
- In patients with COPD, Pulmicort can be used in combination with other medications, such as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs), to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations 6, 7.
Comparison with Other Medications
- Pulmicort has been compared to other ICS/LABA combinations in patients with COPD, and studies have shown that it has similar efficacy and safety profiles to other medications, such as fluticasone/vilanterol and beclomethasone/formoterol 5, 7.
- In patients with COPD and phenotypic features of asthma, Pulmicort in combination with a LAMA and a LABA has been shown to improve lung function, reduce exacerbations, and improve health-related quality of life compared to dual therapies 6.