Entocort CR
3 mg Capsules
budesonide
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1. What Entocort Capsules are and what they are used for
- 2. Before you take Entocort Capsules
- 3. How to take Entocort Capsules
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Entocort Capsules
- 6. Further information
What Entocort Capsules are and what they are used for
Entocort Capsules contain a medicine called budesonide. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'corticosteroids'. These are used to reduce inflammation.
Entocort Capsules are used to treat an inflammation of the small bowel and the first part of the large bowel. This is known as Crohn's disease.
Before you take Entocort Capsules
Do not take Entocort Capsules if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to budesonide or any of the other ingredients of Entocort Capsules (listed in Section 6: Further information).
- You have an infection.
Do not take Entocort Capsules if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Entocort Capsules.
Take special care with Entocort Capsules
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Entocort Capsules if:
- You have ever had tuberculosis (TB).
- You have ever had high blood pressure.
- You have diabetes.
- You have ever had brittle bones.
- You have ever had stomach ulcers.
- You have ever had glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or cataracts.
- A member of your family has ever had diabetes or glaucoma.
- You have ever had liver problems.
- You or a member of your family has ever had mental health problems.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Entocort Capsules.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking Entocort Capsules if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Entocort Capsules can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Entocort Capsules.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Steroid medicines, such as prednisolone or dexamethasone.
- Colestyramine, used to reduce cholesterol levels or reduce itching caused by liver problems.
- Ketoconazole or itraconazole, used to treat infections caused by a fungus.
- Medicines that contain oestrogen, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and some oral contraceptives.
Taking Entocort Capsules with food and drink
Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking Entocort Capsules. It can affect the way the medicine works.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking Entocort Capsules if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Entocort Capsules are not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Entocort Capsules
Entocort Capsules contain sucrose which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars (have an intolerance to some sugars), talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
How to take Entocort Capsules
Always take Entocort Capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Entocort Capsules are not recommended for children.
- Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and when to take them.
- Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water.
- The usual dose for an attack of Crohn's disease is 3 capsules in the morning before breakfast.
- Normally, you will take this number of capsules for up to 8 weeks. Your doctor will then gradually reduce the dose.
- The medicine will usually have its full effect within 2 to 4 weeks. Continue to take Entocort Capsules as your doctor has told you, even if you start feeling better.
Additional information about taking Entocort Capsules
- If you are about to have an operation or during times of stress, please tell the doctor that you take Entocort Capsules. The doctor may ask you to take steroid tablets as well, particularly if you have been taking a high dose of Entocort Capsules, or a similar medicine, for a long time.
- Try to avoid people who have chicken pox or measles while you are taking Entocort Capsules. Talk to your doctor if you think you may have caught chicken pox or measles while taking this medicine.
If you take more Entocort Capsules than you should
If you take more Entocort Capsules than you should, talk to a doctor or pharmacist straight away.
If you forget to take Entocort Capsules
- If you forget to take a dose of Entocort Capsules, take it as soon as you remember.
However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. - Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Entocort Capsules
Do not stop taking Entocort Capsules without talking to your doctor first. If you stop taking your capsules suddenly it may make you ill.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Entocort Capsules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you have an allergic reaction, see a doctor straight away. The signs may include raised lumps on your skin (weals), or swelling of your face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat. This may make it difficult to breathe.
The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
- Heartburn.
- Muscle cramps.
- Pounding heart beat (palpitations).
- Blurred eyesight.
- Rash or itchy skin.
- Heavy or irregular periods in women.
- Low levels of potassium in the blood which may cause muscle weakness, thirst or 'pins and needles'.
- Cushingoid features such as a rounded face, acne, weight gain and bruising more easily.
- Behavioural changes such as feeling nervous, difficulty sleeping and mood swings.
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
- Shaking.
Very Rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
- A severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) which may cause difficulty in breathing or shock.
- A slowing of the rate of growth in children and adolescents.
Medicines like Entocort Capsules (corticosteroids) can affect the normal production of steroid hormones in your body. The effects include:
- Changes in bone mineral density (thinning of the bones).
- Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
- A slowing of the rate of growth of children and adolescents.
- An effect on the adrenal gland (a small gland near the kidney).
Mental health problems can happen while taking steroids like Entocort Capsules. Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), show any signs of mental health problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be thinking about suicide. Very rarely mental health problems have happened when high doses have been taken for a long time.
Do not be concerned by this list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them. If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store Entocort Capsules
- Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- Do not use your capsules after the expiry date stated on the bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store this medicine above 30°C.
- Replace the cap firmly after use.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What Entocort CR 3 mg Capsules contain
The active ingredient is budesonide. Each capsule contains 3 mg of budesonide.
The other ingredients are ethyl cellulose, tributyl acetylcitrate, methacrylic acid copolymer, triethylcitrate, Antifoam M, polysorbate 80, talc, sucrose, maize starch, gelatine, titanium dioxide (E 171) and iron oxide (E 172).
What Entocort CR 3 mg Capsules look like and contents of the pack
Entocort CR 3 mg Capsules are pink and grey. They come in a white plastic container fitted with a cap containing a desiccant. There are 100 capsules in each container.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The Marketing Authorisation for Entocort CR 3 mg Capsules is held by
Entocort CR 3 mg Capsules are manufactured by
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name Entocort CR 3 mg Capsules
Reference number 17901/0122
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Leaflet prepared: September 2009
© AstraZeneca 2009
Entocort is a trade mark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
GI 09 0007a
P026327
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