# Budesonide: veterinary dose and monograph

> Budesonide is a veterinary drug. A potent, LOCALLY-ACTING glucocorticoid for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — its enteric/controlled-release formulation delivers high anti-inflammatory steroid activity to the intestinal mucosa, then undergoes extensive FIRST-PASS… Indications include inflammatory bowel disease / chronic enteropathy (especially where systemic steroid effects are undesirable); lymphocytic-plasmacytic / eosinophilic enteritis; hepatic / other localised inflammatory disease where a "gut-selective" steroid is preferred (per use). This monograph lists 2 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/budesonide · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Veterinary drug
- **Also known as:** Entocort, Budecort, Budez CR
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **Routes:** PO
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Inflammatory bowel disease / chronic enteropathy (especially where systemic steroid effects are undesirable)
- Lymphocytic-plasmacytic / eosinophilic enteritis
- Hepatic / other localised inflammatory disease where a "gut-selective" steroid is preferred (per use)

## Budesonide dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

### Dogs

*Budesonide doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | 3–7 kg: 1 mg; 7–15 kg: 2 mg; 15–30 kg: 3 mg; >30 kg: 5 mg — PO once daily | PO | q24h | — |

- Inflammatory bowel disease: Papich 5e: weight bands above, or 0.12–0.15 mg/kg PO q8–12h, extending to q24h as the condition improves. Plumb’s p.163: 1 mg (small dogs) to 2 mg (large dogs) once daily (Mackin); 3 mg/m² (0.5–3 mg per dog) once daily or every other day (Gaschen). Use the enteric/controlled-release form; taper rather than stop abruptly; systemic steroid effects still occur.

### Cats

*Budesonide doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inflammatory bowel disease | 0.5–1 mg per cat PO once daily (up to twice daily) | PO | q12–24h | — |

- Inflammatory bowel disease: Papich 5e: 0.5–0.75 mg per cat per day (reformulated capsules). Plumb’s p.163: 1 mg once daily (Mackin); 1 mg once to twice daily for cats that respond to steroids but cannot tolerate systemic effects (Willard).

## Contraindications

Systemic fungal infection, uncontrolled systemic infection, and active GI ulceration/perforation. Diabetes mellitus (still has systemic steroid potential). Concurrent NSAIDs (GI ulceration). Hepatic impairment (reduced first-pass → more systemic effect). Known hypersensitivity. Do not stop abruptly after prolonged use (HPA suppression).

## Species-specific warnings

> **Caution:** Cats: Use compounded low strengths (~0.5–1 mg/cat); although gut-selective, monitor for systemic steroid effects and taper to discontinue.

## Adverse effects

- Less systemic than prednisolone, but NOT none — HPA-axis suppression, and possible PU/PD, polyphagia at higher doses
- GI upset
- Risk of iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism if stopped abruptly after long use
- Standard glucocorticoid risks (infection, delayed healing) with prolonged use

## Drug interactions

- CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin): reduce first-pass metabolism → MORE systemic exposure/side effects
- NSAIDs: additive GI ulceration risk
- Other immunosuppressants: additive immunosuppression/infection risk
- Live vaccines: avoid

## Pregnancy and lactation

Glucocorticoid — avoid in pregnancy unless clearly needed.

## Monitoring

- GI/IBD clinical response (signs, body weight, appetite)
- Signs of systemic steroid effect (PU/PD, infection) — and HPA suppression with long use
- Review co-medications for CYP3A inhibitors (which raise systemic exposure)
- Taper when discontinuing; consider concurrent diet/other IBD therapy

## Toxicity and overdose

Lower systemic toxicity than prednisolone at equivalent gut effect, but it is NOT systemically inert — HPA-axis suppression occurs, and CYP3A inhibitors (or hepatic dysfunction) markedly increase systemic exposure and steroid side effects. Abrupt withdrawal after prolonged use risks iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism.

Management: No specific antidote. For excessive systemic steroid effect, reduce/taper the dose; manage as for glucocorticoid excess. Provide glucocorticoid support / taper to avoid an adrenal crisis if stopped abruptly after long use. Supportive care.

## Clinical pearls

- A "gut-selective" steroid for IBD — high first-pass metabolism means strong local effect with fewer (but NOT zero) systemic steroid side effects; a good option when prednisolone's systemic effects are a concern (e.g. diabetes-prone patients)
- It STILL suppresses the HPA axis — taper it like any steroid and don't treat it as side-effect-free
- Beware CYP3A inhibitors (azoles, macrolides): they block first-pass metabolism and convert it into a near-systemic steroid
- Use the enteric/controlled-release formulation and swallow whole; pair with diet/other IBD management

## Mechanism of action

A high-potency glucocorticoid that binds cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors to suppress inflammatory gene transcription (reducing cytokines, prostaglandins and leukocyte activity) in the intestinal mucosa. Its enteric/controlled-release coating targets delivery to the distal small intestine/colon, and ~80–90 % undergoes first-pass hepatic metabolism, limiting (but not abolishing) systemic exposure — so it gives strong local anti-inflammatory effect with reduced systemic steroid action.

## Formulations and products

- Controlled/enteric-release 3 mg capsule (Entocort/Budez CR)
- Compounded lower-strength capsule (small dogs/cats)
- Entocort CR — 3 mg controlled-release capsule, Capsule (human-label)
- Budez CR / Budecort — 3 mg capsule (also inhalers/respules), Capsule (human-label)

## Storage

Capsules: 15–30 °C, dry, protect from light/moisture; keep the enteric/controlled-release coating intact (swallow whole, do not open/crush).

## Before you use this dose

> **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

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## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Budesonide for dogs?

Reference doses for Budesonide in dogs: 3–7 kg: 1 mg; 7–15 kg: 2 mg; 15–30 kg: 3 mg; >30 kg: 5 mg — PO once daily PO q24h (Inflammatory bowel disease). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Budesonide for cats?

Reference doses for Budesonide in cats: 0.5–1 mg per cat PO once daily (up to twice daily) PO q12–24h (Inflammatory bowel disease). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Budesonide not be used?

Systemic fungal infection, uncontrolled systemic infection, and active GI ulceration/perforation. Diabetes mellitus (still has systemic steroid potential). Concurrent NSAIDs (GI ulceration). Hepatic impairment (reduced first-pass → more systemic effect). Known hypersensitivity. Do not stop abruptly after prolonged use (HPA suppression).

### What are the side effects of Budesonide in animals?

Less systemic than prednisolone, but NOT none — HPA-axis suppression, and possible PU/PD, polyphagia at higher doses; GI upset; Risk of iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism if stopped abruptly after long use; Standard glucocorticoid risks (infection, delayed healing) with prolonged use.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.