This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Entocort EC [DSC]; Eohilia; Ortikos [DSC]; Tarpeyo; Uceris
Brand Names: Canada
Cortiment; Entocort; Jorveza
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat Crohn’s disease.
- It is used to treat ulcerative colitis.
- It is used in people with certain kidney problems to decrease the loss of kidney function.
- It is used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have liver disease.
- If you have an infection. This includes bacterial, viral, and fungal infections; amoeba infection (like traveler’s diarrhea); herpes infection of the eye; malaria infection in the brain; threadworm infestation; or any other infection.
- If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, depression, and others. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking a drug that must not be taken with this drug.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your blood work checked as you have been told by your doctor. You may also need to have your eye pressure and bone density checked if you take this drug for a long time.
- Do not take this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
- Steroid drugs, including this one, raise the risk of infection. They can cause an active infection to get worse. They can also make some signs of infection harder to notice. Infections that happen with steroids can be mild, but they can also be severe and even deadly. The risk of problems from these infections is usually raised with higher doses of steroids. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of an infection.
- Some infections may become active again in patients taking drugs like this one. This includes tuberculosis and hepatitis B. Tell your doctor if you have ever had one of these infections.
- Chickenpox and measles can be very bad or even deadly in some people taking steroid drugs like this drug. Avoid being near anyone with chickenpox or measles if you have not had these health problems before. If you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles, talk with your doctor.
- This drug may lower how much natural steroid is in your body. If you have a fever, an infection, surgery, or you are hurt, talk with your doctor. You may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these stresses. Carry a warning card saying that there may be times when you need extra steroids.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
- Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with this drug may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
- Tell your doctor if you have missed a dose or recently stopped this drug and you feel very tired, weak, or shaky, or have a fast heartbeat, confusion, sweating, or dizziness.
- A type of cancer (Kaposi’s sarcoma) has happened in people taking drugs like this one for a long time. Talk with the doctor.
- If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
- This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
- This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
All products except oral suspension:
- If you have been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
- This drug may cause weak bones (osteoporosis) with long-term use. Talk with your doctor to see if you have a higher chance of weak bones or if you have any questions.
- Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
- Signs of Cushing’s syndrome like weight gain in the upper back or belly, moon face, severe headache, or slow healing.
- Skin changes (pimples, stretch marks, slow healing, hair growth).
- Purple, red, blue, brown, or black bumps or patches on the skin or in the mouth.
Oral suspension:
- Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
- Very bad mouth pain or irritation.
- Loss of taste.
- New or worse throat pain, heartburn, or trouble swallowing.
- Chest pain.
- Severe stomach pain, cramps, or diarrhea.
All other products:
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Shortness of breath.
- Bone pain.
- Change in eyesight.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
Delayed-release capsules (Tarpeyo):
- Muscle spasm.
- Weight gain.
- Heartburn.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Headache.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Joint pain.
Oral suspension:
- Headache.
- Signs of a common cold.
All other products:
- Headache.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.
- Heartburn.
- Gas.
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
- Back pain.
- Joint pain.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Tablets and capsules:
- Take in the morning if taking once a day.
- Some drugs may need to be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal. For some drugs it does not matter. If you are not sure how to take this drug with regard to food, check with your pharmacist.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Extended-release tablets:
- Swallow whole with water. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Delayed-release and extended-release capsules:
- Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush.
- Some products may be opened and sprinkled on a spoonful of applesauce. Some products must be swallowed whole. Check with your pharmacist to see if you can open this product.
Oral suspension:
- Do not take, or mix, with food or liquid. Do not drink or eat for at least 30 minutes after taking this drug.
- Shake the packet for at least 10 seconds before opening. Squeeze the packet from the bottom to the top directly into the mouth. Repeat 2 to 3 times until the packet is empty. Swallow all the drug. After 30 minutes, rinse your mouth and spit without swallowing.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
Delayed-release capsules (Tarpeyo):
- Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
All other products:
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
Oral suspension:
- Store this drug in the refrigerator or at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C). Do not freeze.
All other products:
- Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep lid tightly closed.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-06-20
Copyright
© 2024 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.