Article: Budesonide

Budesonide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
16,17-(butylidenebis(oxy))-11,21-dihydroxy-, (11-β,16-α)-pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione
Identifiers
CAS number	51333-22-3
ATC code	A07EA06 D07AC09, R01AD05, R03BA02
PubChem	63006
DrugBank	APRD00442
Chemical data
Formula	C25H34O6
Mol. weight	430.534 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	6%
Protein binding	85-90%
Metabolism	Hepatic
Half life	2.0 and 3.6 hours
Excretion	Renal, Faecal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C (USA)
Legal status
Routes	Nasal, tracheal, rectal

Budesonide is a corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma, non-infectious rhinitis (including hay fever and other allergies), and for treatment and prevention of nasal polyposis. Additionally, it is used for inflammatory bowel disease. It is marketed by AstraZeneca as a nasal inhalation with the brand name Rhinocort, as an oral inhalation with the brand name Pulmicort, and as an enema and a modified-release capsule with the brand name Entocort. It is also sold in combination with formoterol (Oxis) in a single inhaler, with the brand name Symbicort.

Budesonide has a high first pass metabolism. It has efficacy in the terminal ileum and the right colon. Budesonide in comparaison with prednisolone has been associated with fewer bone density losses and unlike other corticosteroids has little influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis which also limit the need of tapering before discontinuation. Overall, it has a lower incidence of systemic manifestations than similar medications.