Uceris (budesonide) is a prescription drug that’s used to manage ulcerative colitis. It’s available as an oral tablet and rectal foam.

Uceris contains the active ingredient budesonide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) It belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

Uceris is a brand-name medication that’s also available as the generic drug budesonide.

Uceris is prescribed to help induce remission in adults having an active ulcerative colitis flare-up. With remission, you have few or no symptoms.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in your large intestine, rectum, or both. This inflammation leads to ulcers (small sores) along the lining of your intestine. It may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool.

Uceris works to treat ulcerative colitis by lowering inflammation in your intestines. The extended-release tablets can be used to treat inflammation affecting any part of the large intestine or rectum. The rectal foam is prescribed to treat inflammation affecting the rectum or the far end of your large intestine (called the distal colon).

Uceris may cause both mild and serious side effects. Common mild side effects of Uceris include headache, nausea, acne, and fatigue. Common serious side effects include adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol levels) and severe infections, such as chickenpox or measles.

There were no reports of allergic reactions to Uceris in clinical studies of the tablet or foam, but there have been reports of serious allergic reactions since Uceris was approved for use.

Keep in mind that the side effects of Uceris can depend on which form you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how Uceris may affect you.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Uceris.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Uceris. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

The recommended dosages of Uceris depend on the form you’re prescribed.

Uceris is available as an extended-release (ER) tablet at a strength of 9 milligrams (mg) or as rectal foam at 2 mg per dose.

Uceris starts working after your first dose. However, it can take 6 to 8 weeks for symptoms of ulcerative colitis to ease or go away after you start treatment with Uceris.

Note: The information above outlines the recommended Uceris dosages from the drug’s manufacturer. However, be sure to follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Uceris.

Why is Uceris taken in the morning?

Uceris is typically taken in the morning because it may cause insomnia or other sleep problems. Taking Uceris in the evening may make it more difficult for you to fall asleep.

If you have an alternative schedule, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the best time for you to take Uceris.

Does Uceris cause weight gain or moon face?

It’s possible. Fluid retention and moon face (swollen, round face) have been reported in clinical studies of Uceris tablets. Fluid retention may cause temporary weight gain (also known as “water weight”).

In addition, Uceris is a corticosteroid. Other corticosteroids have been shown to cause weight gain, but this wasn’t reported as a side effect of Uceris.

Note: Uceris is typically prescribed as a short-term treatment (6 to 8 weeks). Weight gain and moon face tend to occur when people take corticosteroids over a longer time. If you have concerns about possible side effects of Uceris, talk with your doctor.

Is it safe to use or take Uceris with prednisone?

It may be safe if your doctor prescribes these drugs together.

Uceris and prednisone are both corticosteroid drugs. Either drug may be used to decrease inflammation and relieve symptoms in adults with ulcerative colitis.

Doctors typically don’t prescribe more than one corticosteroid at a time for inducing remission, especially for long-term use. Doing so raises your risk of experiencing corticosteroid side effects, such as a high cortisol level or infection.

But this may occur under certain circumstances. For example, your doctor may prescribe both drugs for you if you’re having severe symptoms.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about whether other medications you take are safe to take during Uceris treatment.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Uceris. What you’ll pay for Uceris may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

  • Generic form: Uceris is available as the generic drug budesonide. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic budesonide could be an option for you.
  • Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for the tablet and rectal foam when using coupons from the site. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
  • Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. An Instant Savings Card may be available from the manufacturer.

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions. Below is important information you should consider before taking Uceris.

Uceris can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods, such as grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

Before taking Uceris, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is unknown whether it’s safe to take Uceris during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. But having untreated ulcerative colitis during pregnancy can lead to complications, including preterm delivery.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Uceris treatment.

Warnings

Uceris can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Uceris is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Uceris. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Other drugs that can treat ulcerative colitis are available. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Uceris, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Uceris:

If you have questions about taking Uceris, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you may want to ask include:

  • How does Uceris compare with similar drugs used for ulcerative colitis?
  • What factors determine the best Uceris form for me?
  • If I develop side effects from taking Uceris, can my dose be decreased?
  • Can you recommend ways to lower my risk of infection while I’m taking Uceris?
  • Should I let you know if I make changes to my diet while I’m taking Uceris?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.