If you have asthma, your doctor might suggest Pulmicort as a treatment option for you. It’s a prescription medication that’s used to treat asthma in adults and some children.

It’s important to note that Pulmicort is used to prevent asthma symptoms. It’s not a rescue inhaler and shouldn’t be used to treat an asthma attack.

Pulmicort is inhaled by mouth and comes in two forms:

  • Pulmicort Flexhaler, a dry powder taken using an inhaler
  • Pulmicort Respules, a liquid solution that comes inside respules (small plastic containers) and is used with a nebulizer

The active ingredient in Pulmicort is budesonide. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

If Pulmicort works to treat your asthma symptoms, your doctor will likely recommend you take it long term.

For more information about Pulmicort, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug. Like other drugs, Pulmicort can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Below are a few of the more common side effects reported by people in studies who took Pulmicort. These side effects can vary depending on which form of the drug you use.

More common side effects in people using Pulmicort Flexhaler include:

More common side effects in people using Pulmicort Respules include:

  • infections, such as upper respiratory infections, viral infections, and ear infections
  • runny nose
  • cough

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Pulmicort can cause mild side effects in some people. Side effects can depend on which form of Pulmicort you use.

Mild side effects that can occur with Pulmicort include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Pulmicort unless your doctor recommends it.

Pulmicort may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the prescribing information for Pulmicort Flexhaler or Pulmicort Respules for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Pulmicort, visit MedWatch.

Pulmicort may cause serious side effects in some people. Serious side effects that have been reported with Pulmicort Flexhaler and Pulmicort Respules include:

  • weakened immune system, which can lead to more infections
  • paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of your airways after taking a dose of Pulmicort)
  • weakened bones
  • eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts
  • decreased hormones produced by your adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency)
  • slowed growth in children
  • severe allergic reaction*

If you develop serious side effects while taking Pulmicort, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Pulmicort’s side effects.

Are Pulmicort’s side effects in adults different than those in children?

It’s possible. But most of Pulmicort’s side effects are the same in adults and children using the drug.

In rare cases, Pulmicort Flexhaler or Pulmicort Respules may cause slowed growth in children. For more information, see the “Side effects in children” section below.

For side effects that can occur in adults or children using Pulmicort, see the lists of mild and serious side effects above.

Is anxiety a side effect of Pulmicort?

It’s possible that Pulmicort may cause anxiety. This wasn’t reported as a side effect during studies of Pulmicort Flexhaler or Pulmicort Respules. But after Pulmicort was approved for use, people reported mood changes while using the drug, including anxiety. But it’s not known whether these mood changes were caused by Pulmicort or something else.

If you notice anxiety or other mood changes during your Pulmicort treatment, talk with your doctor. They can determine what may be causing your symptoms and the best way to treat them.

Is the Pulmicort Turbuhaler available? If so, what are its side effects?

No, Pulmicort Turbuhaler is not currently available. This contained the same active drug (budesonide) that’s in Pulmicort Respules and Pulmicort Flexhaler. In fact, the Pulmicort Flexhaler replaced the Pulmicort Turbuhaler.

If you have questions about which form of Pulmicort is right for you and the side effects it could cause, talk with your doctor.

To learn more about which form of Pulmicort may be right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pulmicort Flexhaler can be used in children ages 6 years and older. Pulmicort Respules can be used in children ages 12 months to 8 years.

In most cases, Pulmicort causes similar side effects in adults and children using the medication. But in addition to the side effects of Pulmicort seen in adults, children may also experience slowed growth.

Studies show that corticosteroids such as Pulmicort may cause slowed growth rates in children and teenagers. But it’s not known whether this may affect their height as adults.

It’s important to note that Pulmicort Respules are used only in children. So, any side effects reported for this form of Pulmicort are side effects that may occur in children. For more information, see the list of common, mild, and serious side effects above.

Learn more about some of the side effects Pulmicort may cause.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds may occur in some people using Pulmicort. This side effect was reported in some children using Pulmicort Respules in studies. And this side effect wasn’t reported in children or adults using Pulmicort Flexhaler in studies.

What might help

If your child has frequent nosebleeds during their Pulmicort treatment, talk with their doctor. Their doctor may recommend ways to help prevent nosebleeds. This may include using an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal saline or other nasal spray to help prevent dryness in the nose.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth or throat, is possible during Pulmicort treatment. In studies, this was a common side effect in people using either Pulmicort Respules or Pulmicort Flexhaler.

Symptoms of oral thrush to watch for include:

  • redness at the corners of your mouth
  • pain when swallowing
  • white spots on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks
  • redness inside your mouth

What might help

To help prevent thrush while using Pulmicort, rinse out your mouth after taking a dose. You want to make sure you don’t swallow the water, so be sure to spit it out.

If you develop symptoms of thrush, see your doctor. They can prescribe an antifungal medication to treat your infection. In severe cases, your doctor may have you stop using Pulmicort until your thrush goes away.

Sore throat

Some people may have a sore throat during their Pulmicort treatment. In fact, sore throat was one of the most common side effects people using Pulmicort Flexhaler reported in studies.

In studies of Pulmicort Respules, sore throat was not reported.

What might help

If you experience a sore throat during your Pulmicort treatment, tell your doctor. They can check whether your sore throat is from Pulmicort or is a symptom of an infection, such as strep throat.

If you experience a sore throat often during your treatment with Pulmicort, your doctor may recommend ways to prevent or reduce this side effect. For example, they may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or use throat lozenges as needed.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Pulmicort can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Pulmicort, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Pulmicort, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Pulmicort treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Pulmicort affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Pulmicort may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Pulmicort is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Pulmicort. The list below includes factors to consider.

Active infections. Pulmicort may weaken your immune system. If you have an infection that’s active (causing symptoms), using Pulmicort may make your infection worse. Talk with your doctor about any infections you may have so they can be treated before you start using Pulmicort.

Herpes infection in your eye. Pulmicort may raise your risk of infection. If you have a herpes infection in your eye, Pulmicort may make your condition worse. Or if you’ve had this condition before, using Pulmicort may cause your symptoms to return. If you’ve had a herpes infection in your eye before, talk with your doctor before using Pulmicort. They can determine whether this drug is safe for you.

Tuberculosis. Before using Pulmicort, tell your doctor if you’ve had tuberculosis (TB). Pulmicort may weaken your immune system, which could cause TB to become active (cause symptoms) again. If you’ve had TB before, talk with your doctor. They can tell you more about whether they would recommend TB testing or treatment before using Pulmicort.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Pulmicort or any of its ingredients, including if you have an allergy to milk protein, your doctor will likely not prescribe Pulmicort. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Weakened bones. Pulmicort can cause weakened bones. If you already have a condition that causes weakened bones or low bone mineral density, using Pulmicort could make your condition worse. It may even raise your risk of fractures. If you have a condition that affects your bones, talk with your doctor before using Pulmicort. They may have you take a calcium supplement or another medication to strengthen your bones while you use Pulmicort.

Certain eye problems. Pulmicort can cause eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts. If you already have eye problems, using Pulmicort may make your condition worse. So, if you have eye problems, your doctor may monitor your eyes closely during your Pulmicort treatment. If you notice any changes in your vision while using Pulmicort, tell your doctor.

Liver problems. If you have liver problems, tell your doctor before using Pulmicort. Your liver is responsible for clearing Pulmicort from your body. If your liver isn’t working properly, Pulmicort levels could build up in your body. This may raise your risk of side effects. If you have liver problems, your doctor can determine if it’s safe for you to take Pulmicort.

Not being immunized against chickenpox or measles. Pulmicort can raise your risk of infection. If you haven’t received vaccines for viruses such as chickenpox or measles, using Pulmicort could raise your risk of these infections. It could also make these infections more serious if you do get them. Before using Pulmicort, talk with your doctor about any vaccines you may need.

Alcohol and Pulmicort

It should be safe to drink alcohol while using Pulmicort. But drinking alcohol may worsen certain side effects of Pulmicort, such as nausea.

In addition, drinking alcohol may be a trigger for asthma symptoms in some people.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to drink with your condition and treatment plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Pulmicort

Pulmicort is considered safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The drug hasn’t been found to raise the risk of complications if used during pregnancy. In fact, doctors often prescribe budesonide (the active drug in Pulmicort) to pregnant people over alternatives due to its long safety record when used during pregnancy.

Budesonide, the active drug in Pulmicort, passes into breast milk. But no side effects have been reported in children exposed to Pulmicort through breast milk.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Pulmicort.

It’s possible for Pulmicort to cause side effects during your treatment. Most side effects are mild, but in some cases, side effects may be serious.

Before you start treatment with Pulmicort, talk to your doctor about any questions that you may have. Here are some examples to help get you started:

  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects because of my other medical conditions?
  • Do my other medications increase my risk of side effects from Pulmicort?
  • What should I do if I become pregnant while taking Pulmicort?
  • How do the side effects of Pulmicort compare to those of other asthma treatments?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.