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Budesonide

Drug Information

Common brand names:

Entocort EC, Pulmicort, Rhinocort Aqua, Pulmicort Flexhaler

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

What Are Nutrient Interactions
Types of interactions:BeneficialAdverseCheck

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

  • Calcium

    Most of an inhaled dose of beclomethasone is actually swallowed, which may lead to reduced absorption of calcium. Health practitioners may recommend calcium supplementation to individuals using beclomethasone inhalers.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • DHEA

    A group of women with asthma who had been taking inhaled beclomethasone were shown to have low levels of DHEA compared to women with asthma who were not taking beclomethasone. The authors speculated that this effect may partially explain how corticosteroids can cause osteoporosis. However, more research is needed to confirm these suspicions and to evaluate whether supplemental DHEA is beneficial to patients taking inhaled corticosteroids.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Reduce Side Effects

  • none

Support Medicine

  • none

Reduces Effectiveness

  • none

Potential Negative Interaction

  • none

Explanation Required

  • Licorice
    When applied to the skin, glycyrrhetinic acid (a chemical found in licorice [Glycyrrhiza glabra]) increases the activity of hydrocortisone. This effect might allow for less hydrocortisone to be used when combined with glycyrrhetinic acid, but further study is needed to test this possibility.
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

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