Uceris (budesonide) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for ulcerative colitis in adults. Uceris comes as an oral tablet and a rectal foam. The dosage can vary depending on what form of Uceris you are prescribed.

Uceris is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to induce remission* for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults.

Uceris belongs to a drug class called corticosteroids. Uceris is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Uceris, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Uceris, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Uceris provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Uceris, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

* With UC, to induce remission means to make your symptoms ease or go away.

Below is information about Uceris’s forms, strengths, and dosages.

Uceris forms

Uceris comes as an extended-release (ER) oral tablet. “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time.

Uceris also comes as a rectal foam. The foam is inside a prefilled canister with a lubricated applicator.

Uceris strengths

Uceris ER tablets come in one strength of 9 milligrams (mg).

Uceris rectal foam comes in one strength of 2 mg per metered dose. There are 14 doses in each canister of Uceris.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for ulcerative colitis

For inducing remission* in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC), your starting dosage will depend on the form of Uceris you use. If your doctor prescribes Uceris ER tablets, your starting dosage will typically be 9 mg once daily in the morning. You’ll typically take Uceris for up to 8 weeks. This is the maximum dosage of Uceris ER tablets that’s recommended.

If your doctor prescribes Uceris rectal foam, your starting dose will typically be 2 mg (1 metered dose). You’ll administer this dose rectally twice per day for the first 2 weeks of treatment. Then you’ll administer 2 mg (1 metered dose) once per day for the next 4 weeks. This is the maximum dosage of Uceris rectal foam that’s recommended.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

* With UC, to induce remission means to make your symptoms ease or go away.

Long-term treatment

Uceris is meant to be used as a short-term treatment until your symptoms of UC improve. Your doctor may prescribe Uceris for up to 8 weeks, depending on your symptoms and the form you use.

Before you start taking Uceris, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Uceris dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • how your body responds to Uceris
  • the severity of the condition you’re using Uceris to treat
  • the form of Uceris you use
  • other medications you take

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you take certain medications, such as CYP3A4* inhibitors. These drugs can affect the level of Uceris in your body. To find out what drugs may interact with Uceris, see this article. In some cases, your doctor may not prescribe Uceris with a CYP3A4 inhibitor.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

* CYP3A4 is an enzyme (a type of protein) in the liver that breaks down medications.

Uceris comes as an extended-release (ER)* oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or break the tablets. You may take your dose with or without food. Your doctor may recommend that you take your Uceris ER tablet in the morning.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uceris also comes as a rectal foam that is applied by inserting the drug into the rectum. You can administer Uceris rectal foam when you are standing, lying down, or in a sitting position. If you are using Uceris rectal foam twice daily, you’ll typically take one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening. If you are taking Uceris rectal foam once per day, you’ll typically take your dose in the evening.

It’s important to try not to have a bowel movement right after using Uceris rectal foam. Doing so could cause some of the drug to be lost, making it less effective. If possible, it’s recommended to have a bowel movement before your Uceris dose instead.

It may be helpful to take Uceris around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Uceris can work effectively.

If you have questions about how to use Uceris, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Uceris in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Uceris, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Uceris than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Uceris can include:

  • tiredness
  • swelling in the legs
  • weight gain around your stomach area
  • muscle weakness
  • changes in mood
  • skin that bruises easily

If you take more than the recommended amount of Uceris

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Uceris. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Uceris.

Is the dosage of Uceris similar to the dosage of prednisone?

No, the dosages of Uceris and prednisone are not similar. The typical daily dose of prednisone for ulcerative colitis (UC) is 40–60 milligrams (mg) per day. The typical dosage of Uceris extended-release (ER)* tablets is 9 mg once per day, and it is 2 mg once per day for the rectal foam.

The dosage for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

Prednisone and Uceris belong to the same drug class called corticosteroids. Both drugs work similarly, and your doctor may prescribe either medication for treating UC.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time.

How long does it take for Uceris to start working?

Uceris starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body right away. You should expect to see the best results after 6 weeks with the rectal foam and 8 weeks with the ER tablets. But your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Uceris treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Uceris for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Uceris without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Uceris that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Uceris. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Uceris. For information about other aspects of Uceris, refer to this article.
  • Cost. If you’d like to learn about Uceris and cost, see this article.
  • Details about ulcerative colitis. For details about your condition, see our list of ulcerative colitis articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.