Pulmicort

The generic name for Pulmicort is Budesonide. Pulmicort Respules are actually a budesonide inhalation solution, it’s a corticosteroid used as a symptomatic treatment for asthma patients. Although not a cure for asthma, Pulmicort is great for reducing the recurrence of asthmatic symptoms.

Some patients can be become allergic to the components of Pulmicort. Some can develop delicate reactions to the drug later in the period of treatment. This is why check up must first be done to ensure that proper prescription is given to a patient. The doctor must first examine the patient of the following conditions: Cushing’s syndrome – a condition characterized by the rise of cortisol level in the blood and displays symptoms like fast weight increase, rounding of the face, excessive sweating, skin thinning, bruising and muscle weakness, herpes infection, tuberculosis, previous surgical operation, trauma and allergic reactions to food, drugs, preservatives, steroids and other drugs. The doctor will also consider pregnancy and breast feeding.

Since it is an inhaler solution, Pulmicort needs the use of nebulizer machine. It is a device that will help administer the solution through the airways of the patient. Sometimes nebulizers are called atomizers. This machine works by turning the Pulmicort inhaler solution to vapor and is inhaled then by a patient. The administering of this medicine will need the help of an attendant or a nurse, especially for patients who may be too weak to administer the drug for themselves. As a good medical practice, the patient’s mouth must first be cleaned by gargling or rinsing with water.

Be sure to have on time dosing of the Pulmicort medication. Be consistent with the schedule. Do not take more of the Pulmicort solution without the doctor’s nod. This can be very dangerous if over dosing is made. Sit straight to facilitate the inhalation of the vapor into your system. Never breathe out into the mouthpiece of the inhaler. Do not even shake or blow air into it. The Pulmicort vapor is usually tasteless. When taking the vapor, take a slow and deep breath. After the dose, holding breathe for a few seconds will help, after which, then you can gradually exhale.

Avoid skipping out on a single dose, if this happens the patient may skip the dose and resume use on the next schedule if it is near to the next dosing. Tell the doctor about this incident. However, avoid inducing extra dose of Pulmicort.

Drug interactions, although few, can be dangerous to the patient’s health. Make sure the doctor is well informed of the medications of the patient. Even other inhalers can cause interactions with Pulmicort. Intake with other similar drugs such as nasal and oral forms may also cause some unwanted effects if taken in combination with Pulmicrot Respules. Do not use anti-fungal products like ketoconazole. Anti-fungal products may worsen the side effects of Pulmicrot.

Some side effects are rare. But these rare side effects can be signs of unusual reactions to Pulmicort. Less common but serious Pulmicort side effects are numbness, worsened respiratory problems, swelling of the tongue, face or lips and breathing difficulty. Immediately discontinue the use of Pulmicort. Contact the doctor right away if the any of the rare side effects are felt.

More common and less serious Pulmicort side effects are mouth dryness, fatigue, loss of weight, headache, voice deepening, sore throat, nausea, stomach pain, skin tanning, coughing, yeast infection of the mouth, nose dryness, mood swings, irritability, aggressiveness, anxiety and depression.

Continue using Pulmicort, and after six weeks, you may start to feel the improvement of your condition. Even after this, do not try to stop the medication. Remember that Pulmicort is not considered a cure to a condition so there should be consistency and persistence in using this medicine.