Liz - About Budesonide (Entocort)

[tex]

Hi Liz,

I read your post in the Personal Experiences with Medications forum. You are well advised to be cautious about the use of corticosteroids in general; however, there is definitely a difference in the degree of risk associated with long term use of the respective corticosteroids, with regard to the risk of osteoporosis.

Compared with prednisone, for example, budesonide has been shown to be a much safer medication to use in the treatment of IBDs, and other issues.

Note the following quote, taken from a comprehensive discusson of known treatments for IBDS, from the site referenced below:

"Newer steroids, such as budesonide, fluticasone, beclomethasone, dipropionate, prednisolone-21-methasulphobenzoate, and tixocortol affect only local areas in the intestine and do not circulate throughout the body. Such drugs may avoid the widespread side effects that are a serious problem with long-term treatment using the older steroids."

http://www.nym.org/healthinfo/docs/103/doc103drugs.html

Also, read this report on the results of a trial with oral use of bundesonide, for another autoimmune disease, asthma. The title of this report is: Effect of high-dose inhaled budesonide on calcium and phosphate metabolism and the risk of osteoporosis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract

Note that NO significant negative effects on calcium and phosphate metabolism by the body, were discovered in the trial, despite the intentional use of a dosage high enough to partially inhibit adrenocortical function. That's a pretty impressive discovery.

Obviously, I'm not advising you to take Entocort, (since I'm not a doctor, and I would rather see issues handled by diet changes, whenever possible), however, I will say that if I needed some relief from the symtoms of MC, and I couldn't gain that relief by diet alone, I wouldn't hesitate to give very serious consideration to budesonide, even if it meant long-term use.

IOW, I believe that in the long run, the untreated symptoms of an IBD are harder on the body, than the use of budesonide would probably be. To say nothing of the inconvenience and indignity of putting up with chronic symptoms that are so life-altering in their own ways.

One way or another, we all need to adopt a way to get our symptoms under control, and keep them there. Life is too short to spend any more of it than is absolutely necessary, in the loo. At least that's the way I see it.


Love,
Wayne

[barbaranoela]

Liz-----this is my story using Entocort-----

A few years back(right after the FDA re-approved Entocort and put it back on the market) I had a bad eruption of *D*
So my *GI* suggested PRED. again and I said *NO*---would like to try the Entorcort,which I did----
Unfortunately,It caused me some neurological issues---and only after using it for 2 dayz!!!

My *GP.* has his own opinion on the usage of Entocort and that being--*U start out using 1 a day---for a few days--to see how U react to it--and then increase slowly till U get to the 3 a day---
So GP was very annoyed with GI???? another see~~~saw variance--

Yes, and I was also concerned about the osteo. but gotta do what U gotta do---

When I was hopitalized in 04---the pulmonist had me on an intravenous of PRED. for a few dayz and when I got home---was on it for 3 weeks-(pill-wise)
The pulmonist dropped me very fast---
GI drops very slowly???

Everything such a concern with meds. but we hope for the best---

luve Twinnie
Barbara

[grannyh]

I have been on Entocort EC since November of 2005. I got to two pills a day from 3 but any less does not work. Just last week I saw my gastro doc and he assures me there are no studies showing any long term effects to worry about for liver, kidney etc

He said I can stay on Entocort for as long as it works...the dosage is only determined by what works... he had hoped for a lower dosage work but it won't. Will try a lower dosage again at some point.

I would not have this option if I did not have prescription insurance..that is for sure!
grannyh

[Liz]

Thanks Wayne. I am not taking the Entocort at the moment but still have it on hand if I really need it. Am trying to control things with diet & Imodium & Gastrostop. So far just coasting along with not too many problems at the moment but you can be sure that I will use the Entocort if I have to. Trying to cut down on the drugs that I am taking. Love to just throw them all away but Doc doesn't want me to. See how I go anyway.

Barb I am never going to take the pred again unless the situation became really desperate. Don't have any problems with Entocort & my recent bone density test shows that it has not had any effect in that area.

Love

Liz