Uceris Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Uceris Tablet (budesonide) is a prescription extended-release corticosteroid used to help bring active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis under control in adults. It works by reducing inflammation in the intestines and can help bring on remission within 8 weeks of treatment. It is taken once daily in the morning and must be swallowed whole without crushing, breaking, or chewing.

What is Uceris Tablet

Uceris is an extended-release corticosteroid tablet that reduces inflammation in the body. It is a prescription medicine used to help bring active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis under control in adults.

Uceris Tablet uses

• Helps induce remission in adults with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis

Benefits of Uceris Tablet

• Reduces inflammation in the intestines, which can ease ulcerative colitis symptoms
• Can help bring on remission (a period with few or no symptoms) within 8 weeks of treatment

How Uceris Tablet works

Uceris is a corticosteroid that reduces swelling (inflammation) in the intestines. The tablet has a special coating that delays release of the medicine until it reaches the small intestine, where it is released slowly over time.

Uceris Tablet dosage

Take this medicine in the morning with a full glass of water. You may take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, break, dissolve, or chew it. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly; your doctor may want you to lower your dose gradually. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. This medicine is not established as safe and effective for use in children.

Available forms and strengths

• Extended-release tablet

Side effects of Uceris Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, gas, constipation
• Feeling tired
• High blood pressure
• Back pain, muscle cramps, joint pain
• Swelling of the face, lower legs, ankles, and feet
• Pain and burning when urinating
• Acne
• Thicker or increased hair on the body and face
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
• Decreased adrenal gland hormones

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Increased adrenal gland hormones (hypercorticism) leading to Cushing's syndrome and adrenal suppression
• Decreased adrenal gland hormones (adrenal insufficiency)
• Signs of a new or worsening infection, including flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, cough, or stomach pain
• Reactivation of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or amebiasis
• Serious or fatal chickenpox or measles infection in people exposed while on this medicine
• Decreased growth rate in children
• Kaposi's sarcoma

Warnings and precautions

• Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections, since this medicine weakens the immune system. Call your doctor right away if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, since these can be serious or even fatal while taking this medicine.
• Do not crush, break, dissolve, or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole, since this affects how the medicine is released in your body.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, since it can raise the amount of medicine in your blood.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly; your doctor will guide you on tapering the dose safely.
• This medicine can increase the risk of serious infections, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B reactivation, and amebiasis, and may mask signs of infection.
• Kaposi's sarcoma has occurred in people taking corticosteroids, most often for long-lasting conditions.
• This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking it during pregnancy, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
• This medicine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Talk with your doctor about whether to take this medicine or breastfeed, since you should not do both.
• The effects of this medicine have not been specifically studied in people with kidney problems.
• People with liver disease, especially moderate to severe, may need closer monitoring because this medicine can build up more in the body and increase the risk of steroid-related side effects.
• There are no known direct interactions between this medicine and alcohol, but alcohol may worsen ulcerative colitis symptoms, so it may be best to avoid it during treatment.
• Uceris does not usually directly impair driving, although dizziness or weakness can occur.

Storage

• Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat
• Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect the tablets from light and moisture
• Keep out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor if you have signs of too much corticosteroid in your body, such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat, increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away about any signs of a new or worsening infection, including fever, chills, stomach pain, cough, feeling tired, aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Tell your doctor right away if you come into contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles.
• If you think you've taken too much of this medicine, call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Tell your doctor if a child taking this medicine is not growing at a normal rate.

Alternatives

• Mesalamine
• Balsalazide
• Olsalazine
• Sulfasalazine