Why Is Budesonide So Hard to Find Right Now?

If you've been told your pharmacy is out of Budesonide, you're not alone. Thousands of patients across the country have been struggling to fill their prescriptions for this important medication. Whether you take Budesonide for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, asthma, or allergies, running into empty shelves is stressful — especially when you depend on it every day.

In this article, we'll break down exactly why Budesonide has been so hard to find, what's causing the shortage, and most importantly, what steps you can take right now to get your medication.

What Is Budesonide?

Budesonide is a corticosteroid medication that works by reducing inflammation in the body. Unlike stronger steroids like Prednisone, Budesonide is designed to act locally — meaning it targets specific areas like the gut, lungs, or nasal passages — while causing fewer body-wide side effects.

You might know Budesonide by one of its brand names:

• Entocort EC or Ortikos — oral capsules for Crohn's disease
• Uceris — extended-release tablets for ulcerative colitis
• Pulmicort Flexhaler or Pulmicort Respules — inhaled forms for asthma
• Rhinocort — nasal spray for allergies (available over the counter)
• Tarpeyo — delayed-release capsules for IgA nephropathy

Budesonide comes in many forms, and shortages can affect some formulations more than others. The oral capsules used for Crohn's disease and the nebulization suspension (Respules) for children's asthma have been especially hard to find in recent years.

Why Is Budesonide Hard to Find? The 4 Main Reasons

1. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Disruptions

Several generic manufacturers of Budesonide oral capsules have experienced production issues since 2023. When even one manufacturer slows down or stops production, the remaining companies can't always keep up with demand. Raw material sourcing challenges and quality control requirements for delayed-release capsules add complexity to the manufacturing process.

2. Increased Demand

Demand for Budesonide has grown steadily. More patients are being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Off-label use for conditions like microscopic colitis and eosinophilic esophagitis has also expanded the patient population. When demand outpaces supply, pharmacies run out faster.

3. Generic Manufacturer Consolidation

Over the past decade, the number of companies making generic Budesonide has shrunk. Fewer manufacturers means less competition — and less backup when one company has problems. This consolidation has left the supply chain more fragile and vulnerable to disruptions.

4. Distribution Challenges

Even when Budesonide is being manufactured, it doesn't always reach every pharmacy evenly. Large chain pharmacies often get priority from wholesalers, while smaller independent pharmacies may receive limited stock. Regional distribution patterns can also mean that some areas of the country are hit harder than others.

What You Can Do to Find Budesonide

The good news is that there are real steps you can take to improve your chances of getting your prescription filled:

• Use Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you currently have Budesonide in stock. It's the fastest way to avoid wasted trips.
• Call independent pharmacies. They often have different supply chains than big chains and may have stock when CVS or Walgreens doesn't.
• Ask your doctor about alternatives. If you can't find Budesonide, medications like Prednisone, Mesalamine, or Fluticasone may work depending on your condition.
• Talk to your pharmacist early. Don't wait until you're out of medication. Request refills 7-10 days before you run out so your pharmacist has time to source it.
• Consider mail-order pharmacy. Some mail-order and specialty pharmacies have better access to medications that are in short supply locally.

For a more detailed guide, check out our article on how to find Budesonide in stock near you.

Final Thoughts

Budesonide shortages have been a real problem for patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, asthma, and other conditions. The causes — manufacturing disruptions, rising demand, fewer generic makers, and uneven distribution — aren't going to be fixed overnight. But by being proactive, using tools like Medfinder, and working closely with your doctor and pharmacist, you can improve your chances of getting the medication you need.

If you're worried about costs on top of availability, our guide on how to save money on Budesonide can help you find coupons, discounts, and patient assistance programs.