Is Budesonide Safe To Take With Azithromycin?

Answer

There is no known drug interaction between budesonide and azithromycin. They are considered safe to use together. This applies to both oral budesonide and inhaled budesonide.

In fact, there are several studies (such as this one) that have evaluated the use of both drugs together to help treat inflammatory conditions, such as bronchitis and COPD. These studies have generally found the combination has positive results with few safety concerns regarding their combined use.

What For Drug Combinations

I will say, however, that there are several drug products that contain budesonide as a component that do interact with azithromycin. One such example is Symbicort.

Symbicort is an inhaler that contains two drugs:

• Budesonide
• Formoterol

Budesonide is a corticosteroid while formoterol is known as a LABA, or long-acting beta agonist.

Long-acting beta-agonists have been reported to increase the risk of certain types of arrhythmia, like QT-prolongation. This has been reported with azithromycin as well and it is recommended, if possible, to avoid combining drugs that both increase the risk of arrhythmia.

Azithromycin has been particularly noted as being risky for causing QT-prolongation, so much so that the FDA (food and drug administration) has released safety warnings regarding it.

In your question, you only asked about budesonide, and, as mentioned, that is safe. I just wanted to point out that budesonide can be found in combination with other drugs, and you need to be careful with some of those.

Final Words

I hope you found this answer helpful.

Please reach back out anytime!