3-mg Delayed-Release Capsules:

• Treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn’s disease involving ileum and/or ascending colon.

3-mg Delayed-Release Capsules:

• Maintenance of clinical remission for up to 3 mo of mild to moderate Crohn's disease involving ileum and/or ascending colon.

Uceris:

• Induction of remission of active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

Tarpeyo:

• Reduction in loss of kidney function in patients with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy who are at risk for disease progression.

Eohilia:

• Eosinophilic esophagitis.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Moderate hepatic impairment (Uceris only).

Use Cautiously in:

• History of diabetes (or family history), tuberculosis, osteoporosis, hypertension, peptic ulcer, glaucoma (or family history), or cataracts (conditions may be exacerbated)
• Stress, including surgery or infections — supplemental doses of corticosteroid may be needed
• Active untreated infections
• Immunosuppression
• Potential infections (may mask signs such as fever or inflammation)
• Moderate hepatic impairment (3-mg delayed-release capsules and Tarpeyo only) (↓ dose of 3-mg delayed-release capsules)
• OB: Use during pregnancy only if maternal benefit outweighs potential fetal risk
• Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if maternal benefit outweighs potential risk to infant
• Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children <18 yr (Tarpeyo and Uceris), <11 yr (Eohilia), and <8 yr (3-mg delayed-release capsules)
• Geri: ↑risk of adverse reactions in older adults.

CV: edema, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia.

Derm: acne, easy bruising, hirsutism, alopecia, dermatitis, eczema, flushing, striae, sweating.

EENT: abnormal vision, conjunctivitis.

Endo: ADRENAL SUPPRESSION, hypokalemia.

GI: nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, erosive esophagitis, flatulence, vomiting.

GU: dysuria, irregular menses, nocturia, urinary frequency.

Hemat: leukocytosis.

Metab: ↑appetite, weight gain.

MS: back pain, cramps, myalgia.

Neuro: headache, agitation, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, hyperkinesia, insomnia, malaise, nervousness, paresthesia, tremor, vertigo.

Resp: bronchitis, dyspnea.
Misc: infection, cushingoid appearance, flu-like syndrome, KAPOSI'S SARCOMA.

Drug-Drug:

• CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, and erythromycin, may ↑ levels and the risk of toxicity; ↓ dose may be necessary.

Drug-Natural Products:

• St. John's wort may ↓ levels and effectiveness.

Drug-Food:

• Grapefruit juice may ↑ levels and the risk of toxicity; avoid concurrent use.

(Generic available)

• Delayed-release capsules: 3 mg;
• Delayed-release capsules (Tarpeyo): 4 mg;
• Extended-release tablets (Uceris): 9 mg;
• Orally disintegrating tablets (Jorveza): 1 mg;
• Oral suspension (Eohilia) (cherry flavor): 2 mg/10 mL;

Treatment of Active Crohn's Disease

• PO (Adults): 3-mg delayed-release capsules: 9 mg once daily in the morning for up to 8 wk; recurring episodes of active disease can be treated with a repeat 8-wk course of therapy.
• PO (Children 8 yr and >25 kg): 3-mg delayed-release capsules: 9 mg once daily in the morning for up to 8 wk; then 6 mg once daily in the morning for 2 wk.

Maintenance of Remission of Crohn's Disease

• PO (Adults): 3-mg delayed-release capsules: Following treatment of active disease and once patient's symptoms are controlled, continue treatment with 6 mg once daily for up to 3 mo. If symptom control maintained at 3 mo, dose should be tapered to complete discontinuation. Continuing treatment for >3 mo does not produce significant clinical benefit.

Induction of Remission of Ulcerative Colitis

• PO (Adults): Uceris: 9 mg once daily in the morning for up to 8 wk.

Reduction in Loss of Kidney Function Associated with Primary Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy

• PO (Adults): Tarpeyo: 16 mg once daily in the morning for 9 mo; then 8 mg once daily in the morning for 2 wk.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis

• PO (Adults and Children 11 yr): Eohilia: 2 mg twice daily for 12 wk.

Entocort EC, Eohilia, Tarpeyo, Uceris

• Has high local anti-inflammatory activity in the lumen of the GI tract, but is rapidly inactivated following absorption. Action in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is primarily local. Modulates activity of B-cells in ileum to decrease production of galactose-deficient IgA1 antibodies, which cause IgA nephropathy. Inhibits effects of numerous mediators (e.g., mast cells, macrophages, histamine) of allergic response that could affect pathogenesis of eosinophilic esophagitis.

• Improvement in symptoms/sequelae of Crohn’s disease.
• Induction of remission of ulcerative colitis
• Reduction in loss of kidney function.
• Reduction in eosinophil count in esophageal tissue and reduction in dysphagia.

Therapeutic Classification: corticosteroids

Pharmacologic Classification: corticosteroids

Absorption: 9–21% absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed to extravascular tissues.

Protein Binding: 85–90%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Rapidly and extensively metabolized during first pass hepatic metabolism by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme to inactive metabolites that are excreted in urine and feces.

Half-life: 2.0–3.6 hr; Tarpeyo: 5–6.8 hr; Eohilia: 3.3 hr.

Cortiment, Entocort, Jorveza

(improvement in symptoms of Crohn’s disease or induction of remission of ulcerative colitis)

• Educate patient on reason for budesonideand side effects. Instruct them to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered unless almost time for next dose. Do not double doses. Do not share medication with others, even if they have similar symptoms; may be harmful. Advise patient to read Patient Information before starting and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
  • Explain need for continued medical follow-up to assess effectiveness and possible side effects of medication. Periodic lab tests and eye exams may be needed.
  • Stopping the medication suddenly may result in adrenal insufficiency (anorexia, nausea, weakness, fatigue, dyspnea, hypotension, hypoglycemia). If these signs appear, notify health care professional immediately. This can be life-threatening. Medical ID should be worn in case of emergencies.
  • Advise patient to avoid grapefruit juice during therapy.
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional of signs and symptoms of hypercorticism (acne; thicker or more hair on body and face; bruising easily; fatty pad or hump between shoulders [buffalo hump]; rounding of face [moon face]; pink or purple stretch marks on skin of abdomen, thighs, breasts, and arms; ankle swelling), adrenal suppression (tiredness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure), worsening of allergies (eczema, rhinitis), or infection (fever, chills, pain, feeling tired, aches, nausea and vomiting).
  • May cause dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known.
  • Instruct patient to inform health care professional promptly if severe abdominal pain or tarry stools occur.
  • Corticosteroids cause immunosuppression and may mask symptoms of infection. May worsen existing tuberculosis; fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex. Notify health care professional immediately if exposed to chicken pox or measles.
  • Caution patient to avoid vaccinations without first consulting health care professional.
  • Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult health care professional before taking other medications, especially St. John's wort.
  • Pedi: Advise parents that use may cause shortened stature.
  • Instruct patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Hypoadrenalism may occur in infants born to mothers receiving corticosteroids during pregnancy. Observe infant for signs of hypoadrenalism (poor feeding, irritability, weakness, vomiting).

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