Oral formulations of budesonide: a novel treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.

Budesonide is a promising drug for a variety of documented applications and has potential in gastroenterology. Its unique local mechanism of delivery and efficient first-pass metabolism, resulting in fewer systemic adverse effects than with conventional glucocorticoids, makes this a desirable drug for clinical practice. This drug has shown promise in treating a wide spectrum of inflammatory diseases from inflammatory bowel disease and other colitides to autoimmune liver diseases. Future research should focus on ways to increase delivery methods to promote long-term usage for maintenance therapy for the disease entities listed above, as well as for other potential nongastrointestinal conditions. Copyright 2008 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved.