Cortiment

The recommended adult dose to treat a flare-up of Crohn's disease is 9 mg taken once daily in the morning, preferably after breakfast, for up to 8 weeks.

Finish all Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), even if you have started to feel better.

The capsules should be swallowed whole with water and not chewed, broken, or crushed before being swallowed. People who are taking Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) should avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit on a regular basis. Grapefruit may increase the amount of budesonide that stays in the body and increase the risk of side effects.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause muscle cramps; it may cause indigestion; it may cause spots or redness of the skin; it may cause palpitations (rapid and strong heart beat); it can affect the menstrual cycle; it may cause blurred vision. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each white-to-off-white, round, double-convex tablet with a film coating and “MX9” engraved on one side of the tablet contains 9 mg of budesonide. Nonmedicinal ingredients: stearic acid, lecithin, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer types A and B, talc, triethylcitrate, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) if you:

• are allergic to budesonide or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to soya
• have a bacterial, fungal or viral infection
• have active Tuberculosis

There may be an interaction between budesonide delayed release and any of the following:

• Abiraterone acetate
• Aldesleukin
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• Amiodarone
• Aprepitant
• “azole” antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• BCG
• Bicalutamide
• boceprevir
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Cholestyramine
• Colestipol
• conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Cyclosporine
• Dasatinib
• Deferasirox
• Denosumab
• Desipramine
• Dronedarone
• echinacea
• Fingolimod
• grapefruit juice
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delaviridine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• hyaluronidase
• imatinib
• Leflunomide
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Metronidazole
• Natalizumab
• nefazodone
• Nivolumab
• Norfloxacin
• Pimecrolimus
• Roflumilast
• Sertraline
• simeprevir
• sitaxentan
• Tacrolimus
• telaprevir
• Tetracycline
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Cortiment (Budesonide-oral). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Cortiment (Budesonide-oral).

Corticosteroids: Inform all of your doctors if you have recently taken or are taking corticosteroids.

Diabetes: Corticosteroids such as budesonide may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Cortiment (Budesonide-oral). If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of high blood sugar, such as excessive thirst, a fruity odour to your breath, frequent urination, or increased infections, contact your doctor.

High blood pressure: Corticosteroids can cause buildup of fluid in the body, which can increase the work necessary for the heart to pump the blood around the body. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Illness and surgery: People who take Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), or have taken other corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone) in the last several months, may need additional corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) during times of any unusual stress, such as trauma, surgery, or infection.

Infections: When taken by mouth, Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may mask some signs of infection and put people at increased risk for new infections. Viral infections such as Chickenpox, Measles, or herpes can be more serious and possibly fatal for people who are taking budesonide. Adults who have not had these diseases should try to avoid exposure to individuals with these infections.

Galactose intolerance: Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) is prepared with lactose. If you have lactose or galactose intolerance you should not take these medications.

Liver problems: Decreased liver function or liver disease can cause Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) to build up in the body, increasing the possibility of side effects. If you have decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Mental health: Corticosteroids appear to make behavior and thought disturbances worse for people who have psychotic conditions. They may also cause symptoms of psychosis and mania to develop in people who have not had these symptoms before. If you experience symptoms such as hallucinations, mania (feeling unusually over-excited or uninhibited), or delusional thinking, or notice them in a family member who is taking Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Myasthenia Gravis: Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes specific muscle weakness. Corticosteroids such as budesonide can cause muscle wasting, decreasing muscle. People with myasthenia gravis should discuss with their doctor how Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Osteoporosis: Long-term use of corticosteroids may increase the risk of bone loss and osteoporosis. If your doctor recommends that you use Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) for a long period of time, talk to your doctor about supplements and strategies to slow down and reduce bone loss.

Steroid medication use: If you have recently taken or are still taking a different oral steroid medication (e.g., prednisone), consult your doctor before using Cortiment (Budesonide-oral). If you experience symptoms such as tiredness, headache, nausea, or vomiting while taking Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), contact your doctor. This may be a sign of withdrawal from the previous corticosteroid.

Stomach and intestinal problems: When taken by mouth, budesonide may cause heartburn or even stomach ulcers. Tell your doctor if you have had any stomach discomfort or signs of bleeding in the stomach (black, tarry stools). If you have certain stomach and intestinal problems (e.g., blockage, infection), discuss with your doctor how Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Vision problems: Budesonide can increase the risk of developing Cataracts or glaucoma. If you have glaucoma or cataracts, discuss with your doctor how Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience changes in your vision while taking budesonide, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy: Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Cortiment (Budesonide-oral), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Budesonide passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking budesonide, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Cortiment (Budesonide-oral) have not been established for children.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. This medication should be swallowed whole. It should not be split, crushed or chewed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice during your treatment. Grapefruit can seriously affect how this medication works.