Two medicines, side by side
Budesonide vs hydrocortisone
Budesonide and hydrocortisone are both labeled for asthma, allergies and crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of budesonide since 1994 and of hydrocortisone since 1951. Pharmacies paid $0.498 per budesonide DR 3 mg capsule and $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Budesonide's other strengths are brand-only: $3.29 per mL (Eohilia 2 mg/10 mL packet). Hydrocortisone's other strengths are brand-only: $51.43 per Solu-cortef 250 mg act-o-vial.
Check it at the source: the budesonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 11, 2019); the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026).
Highlights of the budesonide record
Budesonide (Pulmicort) · label of October 11, 2019
Used for
From the label: indicationsPULMICORT RESPULES ® is an inhaled corticosteroid indicated for: • Maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children 12 months to 8 years of age ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: Not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm ( 1 ) 1.1 Maintenance Treatment of Asthma PULMICORT RESPULES is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children 12 months to 8 years of age. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 14, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.498 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the hydrocortisone record
Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) · label of August 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications• temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation, and rashes due to: • eczema • psoriasis • poison ivy, oak, sumac • insect bites • detergents • jewelry • seborrheic dermatitis • cosmetics • soaps • temporarily relieves external anal and genital itching • other uses of this product should only be under the advice and supervision of a doctor
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1951
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0613 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Budesonide label of October 11, 2019, Hydrocortisone label of August 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do budesonide and hydrocortisone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: budesonide since 2008; hydrocortisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Budesonide | Hydrocortisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, Allergies, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | Budesonide is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that exhibits potent glucocorticoid activity and weak mineralocorticoid activity. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 14, 1994 | December 21, 1951 |
| First generic approved | November 18, 2008 | December 22, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 49 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.498 per capsule (Budesonide DR 3 mg capsule) | $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 58,575 | 97,782 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to budesonide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions