Two medicines, side by side
Budesonide vs prednisolone
Budesonide and prednisolone are both labeled for asthma, allergies and crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of budesonide since 1994 and of prednisolone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.498 per budesonide DR 3 mg capsule and $4.72 per mL (Prednisolone ac 1% eye drop) (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). Prednisolone's other strengths are brand-only: $30.66 per mL (Pred mild 0.12% eye drops).
Check it at the source: the budesonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 11, 2019); the prednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 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 prednisolone record
Prednisolone (Pred) · label of June 25, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisolone Sodium Phosphate Oral Solution is indicated in the following conditions: 1. Allergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in adult and pediatric populations with: seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis; asthma; contact dermatitis; atopic dermatitis; serum sickness; drug hypersensitivity reactions. 2. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 22, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 25 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $4.72 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Budesonide label of October 11, 2019, Prednisolone label of June 25, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do budesonide and prednisolone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: budesonide since 2008; prednisolone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Budesonide | Prednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, Allergies, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | Anemia, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Multiple sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Organ transplant rejection |
| 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 | Prednisolone is 70-90% protein-bound in the plasma and it is eliminated from the plasma with a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 14, 1994 | May 22, 1955 |
| First generic approved | November 18, 2008 | November 24, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 25 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.498 per capsule (Budesonide DR 3 mg capsule) | $4.72 per mL (Prednisolone ac 1% eye drop) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 58,575 | 191,407 |
| 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