PULMICORT FLEXHALER

Budesonide

PULMICORT FLEXHALER

ICS DPI

Budesonide · AstraZeneca

Clinical Reference

Active Medication & Mechanism

Budesonide ICS
90 mcg or 180 mcg per actuation (delivers approximately 80 mcg or 160 mcg from the mouthpiece)

Corticosteroid with potent glucocorticoid and weak mineralocorticoid activity. Reduces airway inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory cell recruitment and cytokine production.

FDA-Approved Dosing by Indication

// approval varies by strength + age

Asthma

3/4 approved regimens

Strength	Population	Dose & Frequency	Total Daily	Status
180 mcg	Adults and adolescents ≥18 years (previously on bronchodilators alone)	2 inhalations (360 mcg) twice daily Starting dose. Maximum dose is 720 mcg twice daily (1440 mcg/day).	720 mcg	FDA Approved
180 mcg	Adults (previously on ICS)	2 inhalations (360 mcg) twice daily Starting dose for step-across from another ICS.	720 mcg	FDA Approved
180 mcg	Adults (previously on oral corticosteroids)	2–4 inhalations twice daily For oral steroid taper. Max 1440 mcg/day.	720–1440 mcg	FDA Approved
Any strength	Acute bronchospasm	—	—	Not Approved Not a bronchodilator. Not for acute relief. Use a SABA.

180 mcg FDA Approved

Pop · Adults and adolescents ≥18 years (previously on bronchodilators alone)

2 inhalations (360 mcg) twice daily

Starting dose. Maximum dose is 720 mcg twice daily (1440 mcg/day).

Total · 720 mcg
180 mcg FDA Approved

Pop · Adults (previously on ICS)

2 inhalations (360 mcg) twice daily

Starting dose for step-across from another ICS.

Total · 720 mcg
180 mcg FDA Approved

Pop · Adults (previously on oral corticosteroids)

2–4 inhalations twice daily

For oral steroid taper. Max 1440 mcg/day.

Total · 720–1440 mcg
Any strength Not Approved

Pop · Acute bronchospasm

—

Total · — Not a bronchodilator. Not for acute relief. Use a SABA.

Acute Use

0/1 approved regimens

Strength	Population	Dose & Frequency	Total Daily	Status
Any strength	Acute bronchospasm / rescue	—	—	Not Approved Not for acute use. Use a SABA.

Any strength Not Approved

Pop · Acute bronchospasm / rescue

—

Total · — Not for acute use. Use a SABA.