General Information on Pulmicort Respules
Pulmicort Respules contain a special inhalation medicine for children between the ages of 12 months and 8 years who are suffering from asthma. Pulmicort Respules require a special nebulizer to deliver the drug as a breathable mist through a mask or a mouthpiece. The nebulizer contains an air compressor for transforming the liquid medicine into an inhalable mist. Pulmicort Respules contain corticosteroids. These steroids are not to be mistaken for the anabolic steroids that are misused by some sportspersons.
You can buy Pulmicort Respules for your child from a licensed pharmacy only if your doctor gives you a prescription for the same. The nebulizer too is necessary for the delivery of the drug to the young patient’s lungs. Pulmicort Respules works as an inhibitor of the body’s auto-immune system which causes the inflammation in the airways. Inflammation and mucus are the two main causes for the asthmatic attack.
It is to be remembered that Pulmicort Respules are part of a long term treatment. They cannot be used as an emergency medicine for an acute asthmatic attack. It is termed as a maintenance medicine, which is to be used daily to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for the patient. Pulmicort Respules is not to be used as a bronchodilator in cases of breathing difficulty. The advantage of inhaled steroids over oral steroids is that they have fewer side effects.
Side effects of Pulmicort Respules
Pulmicort Respules do have some side effects. It is to be remembered that doctors prescribe this medicine because they are of the belief that the drug’s benefits outweigh its side effects.
The main drawback of Pulmicort Respules is that it hampers immunity by suppressing the auto immune response of the body. This leads to a vulnerability to viral infections.
Another commonly noted side effect is that of oral thrush, both in the mouth and the throat as a result of long term use of Pulmicort Respules. Other side effects are loss of appetite or vomiting. The medicine can also cause diarrhea, rashes on the body, nosebleeds, or pink eye. Some children get a cough or ear infection as a result of using the medicine.
Dosage of Pulmicort Respules
The recommended dosage of Pulmicort Respules is 0.5mg per day. This can be divided in the form of two inhalations of 0.25 mg. If your doctor decides to increase the dosage, you may have to use two 0.5 mg inhalations in a day.
You may buy Pulmicort Respules in 0.25mg/2ml, 0.5mg/2ml and 1mg/2ml strengths.
The dosage can be increased and decreased only as per the directions of a physician. The dosage can be split into a number of inhalations over the day, but this too has to be decided by the doctor.
Interactions
Pulmicort Respules interact with inhibitors of Cytochrome P4503A4. Inform your doctor of all medications you are taking.
Pulmicort Respules are also not to be administered to children who have an allergic reaction to Budesonide or have suffered from an allergy to any steroids in the past.
