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Budesonide and Side Effects


Thu, June 21, 2018 8:13 PM

Hi folks,

Been getting symptoms of Crohns Disease coming back after being in remission for a few years. My doctor recommended budesonide for about 4 weeks  in hopes it will put me into remission and then I can continue on a more mild drug, lialada.

Im a bit concerned with budesonide being a steroid because I couldn’t stand Prednisone when I took it a few years ago. It never worked and I had severe moon face. I know budesonide is supposed to be much more mild then prednisone because it goes only to the gut, but does that mean I won’t experience the moon face? Any help/experiences are appreciated!

FPO Rezzy456
Joined Jun 21, 2018

Tue, June 26, 2018 7:54 PM

Reply posted for Rezzy456 .

I don't think you need to worry about moon face on budesonide so much. I've used it at various times, and never noticed any side effects at all, but that's just me. Compared to prednisone, though, yes, I've felt your pain, or at least similar kind of pain. No moon face, but fatigue, night sweats, increased appetite, very oily skin, acne, and compromised immune system. That said, if you say that prednisone didn't work to get you into remission, I have doubts that budesonide would be any more effective. As you said, it's localized to the gut, so it's more like precision bombing rather than a napalm carpet, but the point being that if a napalm carpet doesn't work, why would something smaller? Personally, I was recently in a situation when I was hit by a sudden flare-up, and I first turned to budesonide, which slowed it down but didn't stop its progression, to prednisone, to IV steroids at a hospital before I got under control.

Your results may vary, of course.

FPO kumputer
Joined Jul 19, 2013

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