Pulmicort (budesonide) is a medication used to control asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing. It belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. Pulmicort works on the lungs to reduce inflammation and irritation. Because it is a long-acting controller medication, it will not work immediately and should not be used for sudden asthma attacks.For the medication to be effective, it must be used regularly as directed by a physician. Pulmicort can be administered via either an inhaler or via a compressed air jet nebulizer with face mask. Although not common, there are side effects of this medication that can affect children.
Respiratory Side Effects
Because steroids can suppress the immune system, children taking Pulmicort can be susceptible to upper-respiratory infections.The most common infections include viruses that cause the common cold and ear infections. Symptoms can include sore throat, fever, chills and ear pain.
Rarely, this medication can sometimes cause an increase in wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm) immediately after use. If this occurs, you must stop using Pulmicort and find an alternate medication.
Throat Irritation/Hoarseness
Some children using the Pulmicort inhaler can develop throat irritation and a hoarse voice. This can easily be cured by using a spacer device with the inhaler. A spacer is a tube used to create space between the mouthpiece of the inhaler and the child's mouth. It slows down the speed of the aerosol coming from the inhaler, thereby allowing less of the medication to impact the child's throat and more to make its way into the lungs.
Oral Thrush
The use of inhaled corticosteroids can also cause oral thrush, which is a fungal infection of the mouth. This can present as white lesions on the child's tongue and cheeks, which can bleed when scraped. You can minimize the risk for oral thrush by rinsing the child's mouth with water immediately after using the inhaler or nebulizer machine.
Decrease in Growth
Inhaled corticosteroids, when taken for a long time in high doses, can cause a transient decrease in growth. This occurs because corticosteroids can cause bone thinning or osteoporosis after prolonged use. For this reason, your pediatrician will usually start with the lowest effective dose of Pulmicort to control symptoms. However, a study published in 2006 in "Advances in Pediatrics," along with several other studies, have shown that this decrease in growth is transient and does not have an effect on final adult height.
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