The Raman spectrum of budesonide is reported for the first time, and molecular assignments are proposed on the basis of ab initio BLYP DFT calculations with a 6-31 G* basis set and vibrational wavenumbers predicted on a quasi-harmonic approximation. Comparison with previously published infrared data has explained several spectral features, and the relative band intensities in the C=O and C=C stretching regions are interpreted. The results from this study provide data that can be used for the preparative process monitoring of budesonide, an important steroidal pharmaceutical in various dosage forms, and its interaction with excipients and other components