Description
Same active ingredient (budesonide) as Pulmicort®, the US brand. Budecort Respules 1 mg is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India. Compare all Generic Pulmicort (Budesonide) options.
About Budecort Respules 1 mg
Budecort Respules 1 mg is a prescription nebulizer suspension containing 1 mg of budesonide per 2 mL ampule, made by Cipla Limited, used to control persistent asthma when an inhaled steroid needs to be given by nebulizer. It is the higher of the two Budecort respule strengths, intended for older children, teenagers and adults, and for patients who need more than the 0.5 mg ampule provides.
How does nebulized budesonide work?
Budesonide is a corticosteroid with strong local action in the lungs. Delivered as a mist, it settles on the airway lining and reduces the inflammation, swelling and excess mucus behind asthma symptoms. Most of what is swallowed is inactivated on its first pass through the liver, which limits effects elsewhere in the body.
Doses used with the 1 mg strength
| Patient | Typical starting dose (UK labeling) | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Adults and children 12 and over | 1–2 mg twice daily | Lowest effective dose, often 0.5–1 mg twice daily |
| Children under 12 | 0.5–1 mg twice daily | Often 0.25–0.5 mg twice daily |
US labeling covers children aged 12 months to 8 years and caps their total at 1 mg a day, the amount in a single ampule of this strength. Follow the dose written on your prescription and do not raise it during a flare without medical advice.
How to nebulize a 1 mg dose
- Use a jet nebulizer driven by a compressor; ultrasonic machines do not handle budesonide suspension properly.
- Rotate the ampule gently so the drug is evenly suspended, then twist off the tab.
- Empty the full contents into the medicine chamber and attach the mouthpiece.
- Sit upright, close your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe slowly through your mouth until the chamber sputters and stops misting.
- Gargle and spit afterward, and if you used a mask, wash your face too.
Looking after the nebulizer
Residue left in the medicine chamber can block the jet and reduce the dose. After each session, wash the chamber and mouthpiece in warm soapy water, rinse them and let them dry in the air. Check tubing and filters, and replace parts as the equipment maker recommends. Throw away any liquid left in the cup rather than saving it.
What to expect
Breathing often starts to feel easier within the first week, yet four to six weeks of regular use may pass before the full preventive effect is seen. Keep going on good days, and see your doctor if you need your reliever more than usual.
What are the side effects?
- Common: hoarseness, throat irritation, cough and white patches of thrush in the mouth.
- Skin: irritation under a mask, and easy bruising with long-term use.
- With high doses over months: adrenal suppression, reduced bone density, cataracts, glaucoma and, in children, slower growth.
Urgent: stop and get help if wheeze worsens right after nebulizing, if you notice hives or swelling of the lips or tongue, or if an asthma attack does not ease with your reliever.
Who should take extra care?
Tell your prescriber about active or past tuberculosis, fungal or viral infections, liver cirrhosis (which slows budesonide clearance) or eye problems. HIV medicines boosted with ritonavir or cobicistat, and antifungals such as itraconazole, can cause steroid excess (Cushing’s syndrome) with budesonide. People switching from steroid tablets need a gradual taper and may need extra steroid cover during illness or surgery. In pregnancy, budesonide has a long safety record, and poorly controlled asthma poses the greater risk to mother and baby.
Pack sizes and storage
Strips of 5 ampules, sold in packs of 30, 60 or 90, from $37. Store below 86°F (30°C) inside the foil envelope, out of light, and never let them freeze.
Frequently asked questions
Is one 1 mg respule the same as two 0.5 mg respules?
Yes, the total dose is identical; Budecort Respules 0.5 mg allows finer steps.
Can adults use a handheld device instead?
Many can. High-strength capsules such as Budecort Rotacap 400 mcg take far less time than a nebulizer session, and our inhaler types guide explains the choices.
Which reliever should I keep at home?
Your doctor will advise; nebulizer and inhaler relievers are listed in the respiratory range.
Educational content only. Budecort Respules 1 mg is a prescription medicine; your doctor decides the dose and how long to use it.
Helpful guides
- Types of Asthma Inhalers: Relievers, Preventers and How to Use Them CorrectlyLearn the types of asthma inhalers (relievers, preventers and combination inhalers), how each one works, and step-by-step tips for correct inhaler technique.