Patients reviews of their experience with Uceris (budesonide) and how it worked for them.
With the previous posting from Alice on this potential alternative to “prednisone”, I think its for sure time we add a new medication review for UCERIS.
Along with many other UC”ers, I used UCeris (budesonide was the generic name) to stop an ulcerative colitis flare that seemed to come out of nowhere in early 2020. After talking to my gastro doctor via email as I was out of the country at the time, he told me to find UCeris. I was able to get a prescription from a GI nurse specialist for a two month prescription. I only ended up using about half the budesonide sachets.
The cost of UCeris can be expensive depending on your insurance. In the United States UCeris can cost over $200-300 per prescription. Sometimes the prices can be much lower. There are several uceris coupon discounts available, and you should ask your prescribing doctor or nurse about eligibility for those especially if you do not have insurance to help you. You can also check the UCeris website to learn if there are local discounts or other rebates and coupons available to you.
Here is a direct quote from the UCERIS website:
“UCERIS is a different kind of treatment for ulcerative colitis. It is specifically designed to target the colon and helps eliminate the symptoms of UC, with a safety profile similar to placebo (sugar pill). UCERIS is a prescription corticosteroid medicine used to help get mild to moderate UC under control.”
So, if you have experience with UCERIS (Budesonide), please fill out a review regarding your experience via the button below!
Research on Uceris (Budesonide):
A Safety Evaluation of Budesonide MMX for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis (February 23, 2018)
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In the UK for colitis it is known as Cortiment (a 9mg tablet) taken once a day for 8 weeks. It specifically targets the colon as it has a special enteric coating that means it bypasses the stomach and releases in the colon. Whilst it is a steroid, only 10% will release into the bloodstream (unlike Pred) that has 100% going into the bloodstream - so Cortiment makes side effects much less likely. For me they worked, but I think they are only useful for mild to moderate UC and they will take longer to work than Pred will...it is a trade off; taking something for longer than may work without nasty side effects, or taking something that will work quicker, but possibly with nasty side effects!
Of course, the US will have different brand names etc.. but this is worth a try to control a flare for some people.
My Gastrologist told me Budesonide (the generic Uceris) does not target the colon. Only the brand name Uceris targets the colon. People need to know this!
I tried Uceris for 2 weeks after trying Hydrocortisone Supp for 3 weeks without improvement. I am also on Lialda 4.8 mg/d and was on Mesalamine supp. daily. I stopped the Mesalamine supp to try the Uceris since it is 2x/day for 2 weeks. It did not stop my symptoms and I felt being off the suppositories contributed to more blood than I when I was still on the suppositories. Just started Predisone 40 Mg each day. Hope it helps.
This was prescribed to me to get out of a flare up that I had which was definitely not going away on its own. It was my first time using budesonide and it was prescribed by my doctor as a steroid type treatment which often had less side effects compared to prednisone. I did not notice any side effects while taking it but did notice several days of night sweats shortly after being off it completely. Perhaps it was undetected Covid symptoms, but as I never was tested back then I’ll never really know.
Been taking it for over a week and no change to my current flare up am hoping that perhaps another week may help to ease everything.
I have however just done some research on Lauricidin anyone else come across this? I have tried every thing over the years and nothing really keeps me in remission for any great length of time.
I was recently prescribed budesonide (Cortiment 9 mg prolonged release tablets). I used them for just over a week but did not help with the UC flare up. I don't think it is a good medicine unless your symptoms are mild.
My IBD nurse had to change for the stronger Prenidsolone tablet for next 8 weeks. I'm hopeful that the Prenidsolone helps to bring the inlfammation under control.
my mother had a trial of 30 days and it worked great she stopped it because the prescription with medicare rx payment was $966. She is on a fixed income and did not pick up the medication. She had great results...she is in a flare now and I am looking for a coupon or program for assistance? Does anyone know of any?
After initial UC diagnosis and six weeks of unsuccessful treatment with other drugs my GI doctor said let's try the Rolls-Royce drug and put me on six weeks of uceris. Within seven days the flare subsided and I was symptom free by the end of treatment. I've been on daily mesalamine since, and my latest colonoscopy showed effective remission. Uceris is very expensive, but I'd have to say worth the price.
Not a fan, but it helped my symptoms short term. Not as effective as Prednisone for me.
The first time I used Uceris it took me out of a flare in two weeks. Never had any side effects, but my Dr. does not keep me on it more than a month. The second time it did not work, but I was under an enormous amount of stress. My Dr. put me on Immuran (sp?) for a short while then added Cromolyn Sodium when I was better and took me off Immuran and I am now on Cromolyn. Cromolyn Sodium has little or no side effects. I am also on apriso twice a day and follow the SCD diet with adding foods in that seem to be O.K.
I am an Event Planner a very stressful job and into another season and another flare up. I took Uceris and got rid of the bloody stools and cleared up somewhat. Trying now to go back to the SCD diet, but it is hard once you can eat all the gluten free products including corn tortilla's. On, cooked vegetables, meat, eggs and yogurt only. Seems to help and trying to be patient.
I started site shortly after being diagnosed in October of 2008 with severe pancolitis (when my whole colon was inflamed).
For me, it was a very rough start with severe symptoms. Getting bounced from medication to medication was not easy or too helpful. But, I did meet another UC’er, changes several parts of my diet, and of course the rest is history.
Leave a comment, ask a question, take advantage of our past experiences here, use the search boxes, they are your friends to0:)
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The first dose I used it work but then within days it didnt work anymore. Ive suffered from pretty aggressive flares for 7 years so maybe it would work better for someone with a milder case.
I had a moderate flare and my doctor prescribed be Uceris since I refused to take prednisone. It took almost 2 weeks before I stopped pooping blood. I am in remission now but still on the medication. I have been taking Uceris for little over a month now. I did not gain any weight. As a matter of fact, I lost 10 Lbs and feel great.
This med was a nightmare for me.
How so?
I’ve was in a pretty serious flare up Jan-Mar this year. Started taking Humira in Jan and added Uceris in late March. Over the course of April the flare has gone away – symptoms improved but not completely gone. It’s hard to tell whether it’s Humira or Uceris that’s making the difference
I was put on Uceris as I was weaning off prednisone. At first I saw great results, but a month later I tested positive for C-diff which sent me into a horrible flare. I have stayed on Uceris this whole time, and had to go back on prednisone, flagyl, and cipro. I am not sure why my doctors have allowed me to stay on it for 5 months. I didn’t notice any side effects from it. Also I should note that I am most likely headed for surgery. My UC may just be too far along for Uceris to work, nothing else is working either.
I have been on Uceris for the better part of 4 months now, along with Lialda. Previously I have been on Canasa, Asacol HD, hydrocortisone enemas, & prednisone. Prednisone (high dosage) was the only thing that got me into remission. I stayed in remission for 9 months, then BOOM! Back came the cramping, bleeding, and other foul beasts that UC breeds. The Uceris has helped some but I haven’t been able to achieve true remission. Docs are talking about Remicade or Humira for me next, which frankly, scare the mess out of me. Fewer side effects with Uceris but I still have dry mouth and some acne. Wish it had worked better for me. I’m trying a paleo diet as a last ditch effort to stay off biologics…
More of a question: Anyone know if this is available in Canada?
Thanks!
My doc just prescribed uceris as I can’t seem to get off of prednisone. Just wondering what the transition was for folks. Did you take both drugs at the same time i.e. tapering Prednisone (5mg.) while taking uceris? Or was the transition a complete split -one day taking Prednisone the next day Uceris? Appreciate any feedback that might be helpful during the transition.
That was one of my questions too, but my GI doctor said i could take both but to ween off the Prednisone. When I started Uceris I was taking 20mg of Prednisone, I did a longer taper, about 2 weeks of 20mg, 2 weeks of 15…10, I am about 2 months into Uceris and just stopped taking my 5mg of Prednisone yesterday actually. I am not sure if it was the right thing to do since my doctor said I could have tapered every 5 to 7 days, but I also had a new health issue, when my knee swelled up and I couldn’t walk on it, the orthopedic doctor had told me to stay on the prednisone since she thought it was arthritis, and she knew I was already taking Uceris. Anyways, like I said, I was taking both Uceris and Prednisone, if anything I think it helped me even more, but now that I am officially off the Pred, I am curious to see how I do on just Uceris alone. Good Luck to you Erin!
For those that have taken Uceris for the 8 week period, 9mg tablets one time a day, would like to know if anyone experienced weight gain and if so, how much?
Thanks.
Yes I gained weight and I run/exercise almost every day
Yes did gain weight on uceris. Think I have been on it too long
Yes. Gained 10 pds
I’ve been on Uceris for several months and have probably gained about 10 pounds.
Unfortunately, Uceris did not work for me. I did not have any side effects but I also did not get any relief. I took it for about a month before I went on Prednisone. However, I am experiencing the longest and worst flare up of my 8th year diagnosis of UC.
I have tried Uceris for 8 weeks- not only did it give me painful bloating, gas, and water renention, but it actually seed to make my bleeding worse. Every day I’d have two major bowel movements that were incredibly bloody. Now, before I started uceris, I was inflamed with my PAN UC but not as much bloody. The last 8 weeks I’ve been passing mostly blood and large blood clots. Doctor increased my lialda to 4x a day and introduced rowasa daily. But nothing has helped. Yesterday was my last day of uceris. I can promise you I won’t take it again. The pain I’ve been through these last two months was insane. Every bowel movement felt like I was being ripped apart internally and the pain got so bad it would make me throw up. Uceris definitely does not work for me.
I’ve been on it for two months now. It immediately worked! But in the past couple weeks I’ve gotten itchy red skin and muscle cramps in feet and legs. Don’t think it’s a coincidence
I have leg and feet cramps too
I have been on UCERIS two months now, doing way better. However, do have leg cramps, joints hurt, muscles hurt, no strength in my right arm? getting red spots on my face. So very very tired all the time and hungry all the time, starting to gain weight. Something has got to Give! I was under the impression that i would have to be on meds everyday from now on? Sure hope not and yes the UCERIS is $1773.00 WOW! its not just the wealthy people that get sick, what’s the average person supposed to do?
I was on Uceris for 60 days during October and November, 2015. It did seem to make my symptoms a little worse in the beginning, but the worst for me was the diarrhea. It was SO bad that my GI suggested I take it every other day. We finally settled on taking it every day until the diarrhea just got really bad, then I would back off to every other day until it calmed down. Then resumed daily again…back and forth like that. I also experienced some minor, but noticeable, prednisone-type symptoms. Body temp changes, some irritability, some bloating and weight gain. But nothing like being on prednisone. The good thing it resolved was my mucus. I had horrible mucus when I started it, and the mucus almost immediately went away and has not come back (it’s now January, 2016). Bleeding was never all that bad, but has not increased since I stopped using it. However, the diarrhea has persisted, and my urgent episodes seem to have increased. I know this drug works well for some, but except for the diminished mucus output, it didn’t seem to make much difference for me.
Budesonide was fine for me. Humira made me into a ranting raving mad woman. My doctor had no clue what medication he was giving me. He didn’t believe in diet. I fired the doctor, kept the diet I got from Adam’s web site and ditched the Humira. Now I am doing better.
I was on uceris a month and gained 4 lbs ,but I am thin so it was o.k. no other side effects. It works for me.
Took Uceris for the first time on Wednesday morning. I ended up in the hospital thinking I was having a heart attack. I’m 35 with no family history of heart problems but yet the doctors found enough signs of a heart attack they did a catheritization on me. No heart attack thank God. I was told to keep taking the Uceris because they didn’t think that was the cause so I took it again yesterday and am now having the same symptoms, just not as bad. I won’t be taking Uceris again
Just started Uceris about 10 days ago, weaning off prednisone now. Still on Lialda. Had my first normal day in 6 months. Hoping it continues!
I just started my Ulcera this morning. I’m on the down slope of a 5 month flare up – the worst I’ve had to date. Hoping for the best with little side effects. Your comments really helped me feel more at ease about taking this.
Sherry
This is my 2nd time on Uceris. both times worked immediately after having about 50 BM’s/day that were just like Niagara Falls. Had a few side effects at 1st…fatigue, nausea, headaches. They soon went away. After 1st time on it ( 9 mg 1x/day) for 8 weeks, I was only in remission for 2 months before having to go on it again. Am on it now & terrified that when I quit Uceris in another month, that it will once again rear it’s ugly head in a while. SO expensive & wonder why & how they can charge so much for it.
and does anyone know what, if anything that you can do to help keep it in remission? Any drugs that would help?
I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis a week and a half ago. Going to the bathroom constantly…pure water. Went from 135lbs to 120 in less than a month. Started Uceris 4 days ago and am 85 percent better. Was sleepy after taking it the first couple of days and had a couple of slight headaches. Nothing else except last night I had a crazy, vivid dream which is not normal for me – don’t know if that’s a side effect or not. I haven’t seen anything online about that. I’m supposed to take 8 weeks but doubt I’ll need it – although I’m going to go ahead and get the refill while insurance is willing to pay. Ridiculous cost.
I’m so upset with my experience with Uceris I don’t even want to write about it fully or I will get worked up all over again. Caused a horrible flare. Horrible. On top of that I had a headache, eye pain (so bad I couldn’t touch my eye). My stools are loaded with blood.
Hi, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in November 2008 when I was 38 years old. Ever since I have tried multiple treatments: the ATM treatment, Pentasa, Pentasa Enema, Asacol, health foods such as Bifiene M, kefir and Lactis for two years with no sign of remission. On top of that, I had side effects such as hair loss and joint pains.
When my symptoms of diarrhea and bloody bowel discharge worsened and I was faced with the possibility of using steroid, I came across a blog (remissionofulcerativecolitis.com) and some articles about the efficacy of herbal medicine “Indigo Naturalis (Qing Dai)” on Ulcerative Colitis in 2010.
Since then, my symptoms have been cured drastically with no side effects. At first, I took powdered indigo naturalis about one third of in a teaspoon after every meal as on instruction. Then, in about a week, the inflammation was cured, and gradually there was no need to worry about running into the bathroom.
Now that tablets indigo naturalis are on sale, I always carry them out on me. Powdered indigo naturalis is hard to carry and very annoying to drink when taking, but tablets can be very easy to carry out and take everywhere.
I highly recommend indigo naturalis. It is called “Qing Dai” in Chinese, which is commonly used in China, Taipei, Korea for as an herbal medicine and a natural healthy food.
Indigo naturalis may be worth a try. Believe or not….
Used it to get out of a flare but I did not like how it made me poop in my pants. I had to wear diapers while I took this Uceris.
Experiencing similar effects. Did it give you watery diarrhea? Were you tested for c diff?