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What Is Budesonide EC Used For?

Symptoms of Crohn's disease can be relieved by treatment with budesonide EC. Uses of the medication include treating mild to moderate active Crohn's disease and the continuing treatment of Crohn's disease that has been in remission for three months. Budesonide EC works by decreasing inflammation in the intestines. "Off-label" budesonide EC uses can include the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

 

What Is Budesonide Used For?

Budesonide EC (Entocort® EC) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease. In particular, it is approved for use in the following ways:
 
  • For treating mild to moderate active Crohn's disease
  • For continuing treatment of Crohn's disease once remission (improvement) is seen for up to three months.
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Also, budesonide EC is only approved for use in people who have Crohn's disease that affects the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) or the ascending colon (the first part of the large intestine or colon).
 
Crohn's disease is a type of "inflammatory bowel disease," or "IBD." There are several different types of IBD, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis being the most common. They all cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Although much research is under way, Crohn's disease causes are not well understood.
 
Depending on the severity of your condition, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more different treatments. These Crohn's disease treatment options include:
 
Although budesonide EC is not a Crohn's cure, it is very useful for controlling "flares" of the disease. Flares occur when the symptoms of Crohn's disease temporarily get worse; "remission" occurs when the symptoms improve. Although continuous use of steroids (including budesonide EC) is not recommended, these medications are often necessary to help get the disease under control.
 
(What Is Budesonide EC Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;