Budesonide suspension or capsule?

My cat Vivian, who takes prednisolone for intestinal inflammation, is switching to budesonide because the pred put her into a diabetic situation.

The prescription given to the compounding pharmacy by Vivian's vet is for the suspension: 1 ml (equiv of 1 mg) per day. I was going to have them change that to a capsule for a few reasons. I thought I had read somewhere that the capsule is a more effective form than suspension, but now I can't remember where I saw that. Also, it's much easier to pill Vivian than to give her liquid. Then I thought of the conversation I had with vet about cost and dosing. It turns out the liquid is significantly less expensive than capsules: $37 vs.$60 for one month, and the liquid has the possibility of cutting down the dose if necessary. And if it's a small amount of liquid vs. a lot of liquid she should handle it ok. Combined with the fact this process has been so drawn out and I just want to get her started on the new drug to see if it works and helps lower blood glucose I said just send it to me. Anyone have an opinion or knowledge about one form of budesonide being significantly more effective at reducing intestinal inflammation over the other?

thanks!

Laura

I wish I could help--I gave my kitty liquid budesonide and don't have experience with the capsule form.  But I'm bumping up this thread hoping that someone else will see it and can help you.  

I have given my cat Budesonide for awhile now, and I have not heard of any preferred method for medication.  I started out giving him the capsule form, but he doesn't love pills.  We switched to a soft chew treat (VetChews) compounded by BCP Vet Pharmacy, out of Houston.  I don't live in TX, it comes to me by FedEx in three days.  I get the liver flavor, and my cat looks forward to eating it.  His dose is .75ml/day, and that costs me $60 for a two month supply, including shipping.  I imagine 1ml would cost a little more.  Your vet needs to call it in, then you give them payment info.  I've been using this compound company for a few years now with other medications.  They can also make most meds in liquid form in various flavors.  When a different cat needed methimazole and was no longer eating anything well, I switched his VetChew to liquid to make sure he got it in him.  

Anyway, I think it's up to you and your cat. This is just another option. Hope you find what works.  

Check out wedgewood pet pharmacy. My vet uses them for compounding and I get all my cats meds from them. My cat Mittens was on Budesonide and I always got the 1mg tiny tabs. I can't remember the exact price but I think it was around $65 for 100 pills. If you prefer pills the tiny tabs are the way to go, there very small compared to capsules.

thanks for responses. They didn't register in my email, so I didn't see them until I looked up this post to say - Vivian Hates Liquid Budesonide!!

It arrived from the compounding pharmacy today and I was anxious to get started with it, as we are at a crossroads with insulin and I would like to keep her off that - OMG. This is a sedate cat who I can pill, give injections to, do blood glucose ear sticks several times daily, when I squirted that stuff in her mouth she LEPT to get away from it and fought like crazy as I tried to empty the rest of the .5ml into her mouth. This is not going to be pretty.

And it smells horrendous, I can't wash the odor off my hands - YUK! This is a month's supply after which we will be switching to pills, even if they are more expensive. Just hope she keeps it down okay. Gross!

My cat hated it, too, even though it was supposed to be flavored.      But I was able to hold her between my knees, syringe it into the side of her mouth and hold her mouth until she swallowed.  Then she got a treat.  I always hated doing it, but she needed it.  

It says to shake well but doesn't say whether to refrigerate, so not sure what to do. If you refrigerate meds that don't require that, it can be hard to mix it when you shake it. Do you remember if you refrigerated?

thanks 

Laura

When I give liquid meds I always follow it with a couple cc's of water to help get the taste out of kitties mouth. It helps them not drool it out too.

Cat Pal said:

 
It says to shake well but doesn't say whether to refrigerate, so not sure what to do. If you refrigerate meds that don't require that, it can be hard to mix it when you shake it. Do you remember if you refrigerated?

thanks 

Laura

Click to expand...

You know, I had three cats taking meds at the time and I can't remember which meds I refrigerated and which ones I didn't.  Sorry.  Can you call the place that did the compounding and ask them?

Very good idea on calling the compounding pharmacy

My kitty needs flagyl for IBD. She hates the.liquid even though it is supposed to be flavored. She spits out the pills. Has anyone used the mini-melts? I am getting desperate. It is bad giving her the liquid because she hates it so much and hides for hours after. Any guidance on how to get the.metonidazol in a kitty would be a greatly a.