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Uceris (Budesonide ER Tablet)

Type
Product
Manufacturer
Country
Dosage
Qty-Price (USD)
Type: drug type
Product: Uceris
Manufacturer: Ferring
Country: Canada
Dosage: 9 mg
Qty-Price (USD):
Type: drug type
Product: Uceris (ON BACKORDER)
Manufacturer: Ferring
Country: United Kingdom
Dosage: 9 mg
Qty-Price (USD):
Type: drug type
Product: Uceris (ON BACKORDER)
Manufacturer: Cosmo Pharmaceuticals
Country: New Zealand
Dosage: 9 mg
Qty-Price (USD):

Generic Equivalent of Uceris
Type
Product
Manufacturer
Country
Dosage
Qty-Price (USD)
Type: drug type
Product: Budesonide ER Tablet (Budez OD - Sun Pharma)
Manufacturer: Generic
Country: India
Dosage: 9 mg
Qty-Price (USD):

Uceris Information

portrait medically reviewed by Dr. HaVy Ngo, Pharmacist on December 3, 2025.

Uceris and Budesonide ER Tablet at CanadaPharmacyOnline.com

Budesonide 9 mg extended-release tablets (utilizing the MMX technology) are developed and manufactured by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals. Cosmo licenses the product globally to partner companies for distribution. In the United States, the product is known as Uceris (currently marketed by a Bausch Health affiliate, Salix). In Canada, the product is marketed as Cortiment ER (often through Ferring Pharma). It is also available in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Generic budesonide ER tablets are sourced from manufacturers that meet applicable regulatory standards. The specific manufacturers of your dispensed medication may vary.

Important Information about Generic Budesonide ER Tablets

Generic budesonide ER tablets contain the same active ingredient as brand-name Uceris and must meet the same effectiveness and quality standards. This means it is designed to work in the same way as Uceris. Studies have shown that generic budesonide ER tablets are bioequivalent to brand-name Uceris, meaning they have similar absorption rates and achieve comparable blood concentrations. However, individual responses to medication can vary due to factors such as metabolism, genetics, and other health conditions.

For more information about generic drug approval and bioequivalence, you can visit the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts.

Dosage:

Brand-name Uceris (budesonide 9 mg extended-release tablet) and its generic equivalents are available in 9 mg oral tablets. Generic availability may vary by country and pharmacy.

Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your individual needs and medical conditions.

Usage:

Uceris is a 9 mg extended-release oral tablet containing the steroid budesonide, intended for adults with active flare-ups of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) to induce remission, typically used for up to 8 weeks. It is designed for short-term use only (induction), and it is important to swallow the tablets whole and avoid grapefruit juice to ensure their effectiveness and safety.

Mechanism of Action:
Uceris works by using its active ingredient, budesonide, a potent steroid, to combat inflammation directly in the colon, where ulcerative colitis is active. The medication's effectiveness stems from two main advantages: The (MMX) technology ensures the budesonide is released directly into the colon, strongly suppressing the local immune response and thereby reducing irritation, swelling, and ulcers exactly where needed. After absorption, budesonide is quickly inactivated by the liver (a process known as high first-pass metabolism). This innovative mechanism ensures the drug effectively heals the inflamed area while significantly reducing the amount of active steroid circulating in the rest of the body, thereby minimizing the common, unwanted side effects associated with general steroid use.

Take Uceris exactly as your doctor prescribes, following the instructions in the product monograph in Canada. Consult a doctor for personalized guidance and safe use.

The information below summarizes some, but not all, potential side effects, risks, and interactions. Before starting Uceris, it is essential to discuss all possible side effects, risks, and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects:

The information below outlines potential side effects of Uceris (budesonide ER tablets). It is not an exhaustive list, and individual reactions can vary.

Common side effects – These are common side effects of Uceris, but others are possible. Contact your doctor promptly if any side effects are persistent, worsening, or concerning, or if you experience any other concerning symptoms.
• Abdominal pain (due to colitis or a drug)
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea

Other Potential Side Effects (less common):
• Acne
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Dizziness
• Flatulence (gas)
• Joint pain (arthralgia)
• Mood changes (e.g., anxiety, irritability)

Serious Side Effects: Seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services if you experience any of the following symptoms:
• Adrenal Suppression (HPA Axis Suppression): This is a reduced ability of your body to produce its own natural steroids, leading to symptoms like severe fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. The risk of withdrawal symptoms increases when stopping the medication abruptly.
• Serious Infections: Steroids can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to new infections or reactivation of latent infections (like tuberculosis or herpes).
• Signs of Steroid Excess (Cushing's Syndrome): Although less common than with oral steroids, signs can include roundness of the face ("moon face"), easy bruising, weight gain, and increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
• Vision Changes: New or worsening blurred vision; in rare cases, cataracts or glaucoma.
• Worsening Ulcerative Colitis: Rare cases of symptoms worsening or complications like intestinal perforation have been reported.

Contraindications:

The following are key contraindications and important warnings (not an exhaustive list). Before starting Uceris, it is crucial to discuss all your medical conditions, past and present, and all medications you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do NOT take Uceris/Cortiment if:
• Hypersensitivity: You have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to budesonide (Uceris/Cortiment) or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablet or rectal foam formulations.

Use with EXTREME CAUTION or AVOID if:
• Severe Liver Impairment: Budesonide is inactivated by the liver; severe liver disease (Cirrhosis, etc.) can prevent this inactivation, leading to high levels of budesonide in the blood and significantly increasing systemic steroid side effects.
• Untreated Systemic Infection: You have a severe, untreated infection (e.g., fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic). Steroids can worsen these conditions or mask their symptoms.
• Specific UC Complications: You have severe complications of ulcerative colitis, such as toxic megacolon or active fistula, where steroid treatment may be inappropriate or require immediate hospitalization.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, past and present, before starting Uceris. This is crucial as certain conditions affect the drug's safety.
• Cataracts or Glaucoma: History of cataracts or glaucoma, or a family history of glaucoma.
• Existing Infections: Existing infections, especially fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections (including active or quiescent tuberculosis or ocular herpes simplex), as steroids can worsen these conditions or mask their symptoms.
• High Blood Pressure (hypertension) or heart problems.
• Liver Problems: This organ metabolizes budesonide, and impaired function can lead to higher steroid levels in the blood.
• Osteoporosis (thinning bones) or other bone conditions, as steroids can worsen this condition, as steroids can worsen this condition.
• Gastrointestinal Issues: such as ulcers, diverticulitis, or recent intestinal surgery.

Drug Interactions:

Before taking Uceris, discuss all potential risks and interactions with your doctor or pharmacist. For complete and up-to-date information, refer to the product monograph from Bausch Health Canada at https://bauschhealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Uceris-PM-E-2020-04-15.pdf.

Provide your doctor with a complete list of all your medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, recreational drugs, and any significant dietary changes, as these may interact with Uceris. Uceris may interact with other medicines, but is not limited to:

Interactions That Increase Budesonide Levels (Increased Side Effects):
• Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Slow down budesonide breakdown, leading to higher levels):
o Antifungal Medications: Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole.
o HIV/AIDS Medications (Protease Inhibitors): Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Lopinavir.
o Antibiotics: Erythromycin, Clarithromycin.
o Calcium Channel Blockers: Diltiazem, Verapamil.
o Other: Amiodarone.
• Grapefruit Juice / Grapefruit: Consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice must be strictly avoided while taking Uceris, as it dramatically increases budesonide levels.

Interactions That Decrease Uceris Absorption (Reduced Effectiveness)
• Medications that Decrease Stomach Acid: (These may interfere with the protective coating of the Uceris tablet, reducing its effectiveness.)
Examples: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs, e.g., Omeprazole, Pantoprazole), H2-Receptor Blockers (e.g., Famotidine), and Antacids.
Note: While some studies (e.g., with omeprazole) have not shown a significant impact on systemic exposure, the manufacturer's guidance acknowledges the theoretical risk of reduced effectiveness due to the drug's sensitive coating.

Interactions That Decrease Budesonide Levels (CYP3A4 Inducers)
• CYP3A4 Inducers (Speed up budesonide breakdown, leading to lower levels): Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Rifampin, St. John's Wort.

Other Important Interactions
• Live Vaccines: As Uceris is a corticosteroid, discuss with your doctor if you are planning to receive a live vaccine (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella).

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:

Uceris (budesonide) is often preferred for managing ulcerative colitis during pregnancy and breastfeeding because its unique design limits systemic exposure, resulting in very low levels of the drug entering the bloodstream compared to traditional oral steroids. This low systemic absorption reduces potential risks to the developing fetus or nursing infant, making it generally considered a safer choice. However, since the greater risk comes from leaving ulcerative colitis untreated during pregnancy, the decision to use Uceris should always be made collaboratively with your healthcare provider, who will balance the critical need to control your disease against any minimal potential risk to the baby.

Uceris (Budesonide MMX Tablet) in Children

Uceris (budesonide extended-release MMX tablets for ulcerative colitis) is not approved for use in pediatric patients (under 18 years of age). Its safety and effectiveness have not been established in this age group.

Glucocorticosteroids, including budesonide, may reduce growth velocity and interfere with bone development due to systemic absorption, even at the low levels achieved with Uceris. While Uceris tablets are not approved for children, a different oral formulation of budesonide (e.g., Entocort EC, a delayed-release capsule) is approved in some regions for treating Crohn's disease in children and adolescents (>8 years old and >25 kg). This highlights that the risk is manageable with the proper formulation, dosage, and indication.

If a child needs corticosteroid treatment for ulcerative colitis, parents should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist. They will select an age-appropriate and approved therapy and manage the treatment with regular monitoring of the child's growth and development.

Frequently Asked Questions about Uceris at CanadaPharmacyOnline:

Why is Uceris more affordable in Canada than in the United States?

Prescription drug prices, including Uceris, are generally lower in Canada than in the US due to a combination of factors, primarily government price regulations, differing market dynamics, and other economic considerations. In Canada, provincial and federal governments negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, which often results in lower prices than in the U.S., where market forces play a more significant role. For more information, see the FAQs on Prescription Drug Importation from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/faqs-on-prescription-drug-importation/.

How much is the shipping?

Our shipping fee is a flat rate of $10.00 per order. Our pharmacy focuses on offering you the lowest prices on high-quality products.

How do I order from your pharmacy?

Ordering from us is very simple. You can purchase online or call Customer Service at 1866.920.3784; for more information or to learn about the ordering process, visit our How to Order page.

Is there a limit on how many Uceris tablets I can order at once?

CanadaPharmacyOnline.com can only dispense a maximum of a three-month supply of Uceris at one time, as per your doctor's prescription.

Can I buy a Uceris from you over the counter?

No, Uceris requires a valid prescription from your doctor. We do not sell this product without a valid prescription.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes, we do. It usually takes between 7 and 18 business days to receive your order from our pharmacy.

Is there a generic for Uceris?

Yes, the generic alternative is called Budesonide extended-release tablets.

Blog Posts:

Can a Chronic Inflammation Disease Cause Mental Illness?

Latest News:

Toxin-secreting gut bacterium emerges as a driver of ulcerative colitis (article published on November 20, 2025)

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The information on this page is sourced from independent third parties contracted by CanadaPharmacyOnline. While we cannot guarantee its medical accuracy, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare professional for personalized advice regarding medications or medical conditions.

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