Entocort EC : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
Why is this medication prescribed?
Entocort EC (Budesonide) is used to treat Crohn’s disease (a condition in which the body attacks the lining of the digestive tract, causing pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fever). Entocort EC is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by reducing inflammation (swelling) in the digestive tract of people with Crohn’s disease.
How should this medicine be used?
Entocort EC (Budesonide) comes as capsules to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day in the morning. Take Entocort EC at around the same time every day. Your doctor will tell you how long to take Entocort EC. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Entocort EC exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. If you cannot swallow the capsules whole, talk to your doctor.
Entocort EC can help control your symptoms, but it will not cure your condition. Your doctor will watch you closely to see how well Entocort EC works for you. If your symptoms are controlled, your doctor may lower your dose of Entocort EC. After your symptoms have been controlled for 3 months, your doctor may slowly lower your dose and then stop treating you with this medicine. It is important that you tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Entocort EC,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Entocort EC or any other medications.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: clarithromycin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and telithromycin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects. Many other medications can also interact with Entocort EC, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- Tell your doctor if you or someone in your family has had diabetes (high blood sugar) or glaucoma, or if you have tuberculosis, high blood pressure, osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and become break easily), stomach ulcer. , cataracts or liver disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Entocort EC, call your doctor.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Entocort EC.
- Tell your doctor if you have never had chickenpox or measles and have not been vaccinated against these infections. Stay away from sick people, especially those with chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to one of these infections or if you have symptoms of one of these infections, call your doctor immediately. You may need treatment to protect yourself from these infections.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Entocort EC may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- dizziness
- runny nose, sneezing, coughing
- nausea
- indigestion
- abdominal pain
- gas
- vomiting
- fatigue
- back pain
- pain
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- itching
- skin rash
- fever
- swelling of face and neck
- difficulty breathing
- severe headache
- changes in vision
- acne
- bruising
Entocort EC may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine or if your symptoms get worse.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not resistant to children and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.
What other information should I know?
Keep all your appointments with your doctor.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking Entocort EC.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.
Brand Names
- Entocort® EC
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.