A newly PBS-listed oral therapy will likely become first-line for adults with eosinophilic oesophagitis who require a topical steroid, a leading gastroenterologist says.

Previously, such patients had to contend with off-label use of inhaled corticosteroids intended for asthma control, which was not ideal for delivery to the oesophagus.

Since 1 May, patients living with the chronic, immune-mediated oesophageal disease are eligible for subsidised budesonide in an orally disintegrating tablet formulation (Jorveza), which was approved by the TGA in 2020.

Sydney gastroenterologist Dr Peter Katelaris, from Concord Repatriation General Hospital, said the listing was critical to improving patient outcomes in eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE).