Entocort EC (Budesonide) to Treat Crohn's Disease

Entocort EC (budesonide) is a Crohn's disease treatment for mild to moderate disease involving the ileum and/or the ascending colon. Entocort EC is a non-systemic glucocorticosteroid that is released into the intestine and works to reduce inflammation.

Because 90% of the drug is released in the intestine and not into the bloodstream, it causes fewer side effects than other corticosteroids (such as prednisone).

Entocort EC for Crohn's Disease

Entocort EC (budesonide) is a glucocorticosteroid prescribed to treat Crohn's disease. It works by reducing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It does not cure the condition, but it can help improve symptoms like diarrhea and pain. It is typically prescribed to people with mild to moderate Crohn's disease.

How It's Taken

Entocort EC is normally taken in capsule form in the morning with or without food. Entocort EC should be swallowed whole and should never be crushed, chewed, or broken in half. This is because Entocort EC has a coating on it that allows the drug to pass through part of the digestive system until it gets to the area of inflammation in the small intestine.

If the pills are crushed or broken, the outer coating will be disturbed, and the medication won't work in the way it was intended.

According to the Entocort prescribing information, it is normally taken in a 9 milligram (mg) dose every morning to treat mild to moderately active Crohn’s disease for up to eight weeks.

For Crohn's disease that is in clinical remission, Entocort EC may be prescribed as a maintenance drug. In this case, 6 mg is taken once a day for up to three months. After three months, it has not been proven to have any more benefits with regard to Crohn's disease.

If You Miss a Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose should be taken soon, just take that dose. Don't double up, or take more than one dose at a time.

Who Should Not Take Entocort EC

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any of the following conditions:

• Any condition that suppresses the immune system
• Cataracts
• Diabetes (or a family history of the disease)
• Glaucoma (or a family history of the disease)
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• Osteoporosis
• Tuberculosis
• Ulcers

Side Effects

The biggest difference between Entocort EC and other formulations of steroids is that Entocort passes through the upper gastrointestinal tract without the medication being released. The medication isn't released until it gets to the small intestine, which means it can act on the inflammation there.

Because it's not put right into the bloodstream, it causes fewer side effects than other formulations of steroid drugs that don't have that time-release factor.

Common side effects of Entocort EC include:

• Headache
• Runny nose, sneezing, cough
• Nausea and vomiting
• Gas
• Indigestion
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Back pain

Entocort EC is not known to cause any sexual side effects in either males or females.

Interactions

Ketoconazole can interfere with the way the liver processes Entocort EC.

Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can interact with Entocort EC and may cause more of it to be released into the bloodstream.

Safety During Pregnancy

The FDA has classified Entocort EC as a type C drug. The effect that Entocort EC has on an unborn child has not been studied extensively.

Entocort EC should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits justify potential risk to the fetus. Notify the prescribing healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking Entocort EC.

Entocort EC does pass into breastmilk and can affect a nursing infant.

Additional Information

People taking Entocort EC should avoid exposure to anyone who has chickenpox or measles or who has been vaccinated with a live virus.

Entocort may also suppress the response of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and therapy may be necessary before surgery (including dental surgery) or other stressful events.

Summary

Entocort EC is a glucocorticosteroid that is prescribed to treat mild to moderate Crohn's disease. It can help improve symptoms such as diarrhea.

Entocort EC may be taken by people with active Crohn's disease for up to eight weeks. It can also be taken as a maintenance drug for people in clinical remission for up to three months.