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Let's talk about ENTOCORT® EC* (budesonide) Capsules

ENTOCORT® EC is the only medicine approved by the FDA to treat mild to moderate Crohn’s disease affecting the ileum and/or ascending colon.*

The American Gastroenterological Association recommends budesonide, the active ingredient contained in ENTOCORT EC, as first-line therapy for mild to moderate Crohn’s disease.1

 

Chances are you’re visiting this site because you have mild to moderate Crohn’s disease or you know someone who does.

Maybe your doctor has prescribed ENTOCORT® EC to help manage your symptoms. Or maybe you’ve heard about ENTOCORT EC from another source. Either way, you probably have a few questions on your mind.

Like, “Why did my doctor prescribe this medicine?” Or, “What does it do?” Or maybe, “What makes ENTOCORT EC right for me?”

Well, you’ve come to the right place. At this site, you’ll find answers to common questions about ENTOCORT EC treatment.

Could ENTOCORT® EC be right for me?

View the Crohn’s Disease Symptoms to find out.


 
Entocort EC Budesonide Capsules

Read this information carefully before you begin treatment. Read the information you get whenever you get more prescription medicine. There may be new information.

ENTOCORT EC is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderate Crohn's disease affecting part of the small intestine called the ileum and/or part of the large intestine called the ascending colon. It is used for induction therapy (therapy when symptoms first occur) to achieve remission and for maintenance therapy (once symptoms are under control) to maintain remission.

Important Safety Information About ENTOCORT EC®

  • Do not take ENTOCORT EC if you have had an allergic reaction to ENTOCORT EC or any of its ingredients.
  • If you are taking ENTOCORT EC and you are undergoing surgery or are subject to other stress situations, you may also need treatment with a systemic steroid (such as prednisone).
  • If you are being switched to ENTOCORT EC from a systemic steroid, your dose of the systemic steroid should be reduced gradually and your doctor may need to monitor you closely to avoid health risks that may be associated with stopping the use of systemic steroids.
  • If you are taking a medicine that suppresses the immune system, such as ENTOCORT EC, you are more likely to get infections. Be sure to avoid contact with people with infections, including chicken pox or measles.

To help your doctor decide if ENTOCORT EC is right for you, tell your doctor:

  • About all of your past and present medical conditions including liver problems, tuberculosis, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, chicken pox or measles, cataracts, and any other medical conditions or surgeries you have experienced.
  • If you or anyone in your family has had diabetes or glaucoma.
  • About any allergic reactions you have had to medicine, and all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you now take.
  • If you are pregnant, breast feeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to get pregnant.

While you are taking ENTOCORT EC, do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice regularly. Grapefruit can increase the amount of ENTOCORT EC in your blood. Other juices, like orange juice or apple juice, do not have this effect.

In clinical studies, the most common side effects of ENTOCORT EC are headaches, infection in your air passages (respiratory infection), nausea, and symptoms of hypercorticism (too much steroids in your body). Symptoms of hypercorticism may include an increase in the size of the face and neck, acne, or bruising. Most symptoms of too much steroids in your body occur less often with ENTOCORT EC than with other steroids.

Call your physician right away if you notice itching, skin rash, fever, swelling of your face and neck, or trouble breathing while you are taking ENTOCORT EC. These may be signs that you are allergic to the medicine and you may need emergency help.

Talk to your doctor about ENTOCORT EC.

Please read the full Prescribing Information and discuss with your doctor or health care provider.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.