Common use

Symbicort is used to control and prevent the symptoms of asthma in adults and children at least 6 years old. Symbicort is also used to help control the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Symbicort inhaler contains a combination of budesonide and formoterol and is used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Budesonide is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the body. Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Dosage and direction

Symbicort comes with a medication guide for safe and effective use, and directions for priming and cleaning the Symbicort inhaler device. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Rinse your mouth with water after each use of your inhaler. Throw the canister away when the inhalations counter shows a 0, or if it has been longer than 3 months since you first took the canister out of its foil pouch.

Precautions

Symbicort is not a rescue medicine. It will not work fast enough to treat an asthma or bronchospasm attack.
Budesonide can weaken your immune system. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you've had within the past several weeks.
To make sure Symbicort is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart disease, high blood pressure; a seizure; a weak immune system; liver disease; osteoporosis; glaucoma, cataracts, or other vision problems; diabetes; a drug allergy; tuberculosis; a thyroid disorder; or an electrolyte imbalance (such as low potassium levels in your blood).

Contraindications

You should not use Symbicort if you are allergic to budesonide or formoterol.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether budesonide or formoterol will harm an unborn baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Symbicort. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Symbicort is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Symbicort: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Common Symbicort side effects may include: throat pain or irritation; white patches in your mouth or throat; stomach discomfort, vomiting; back pain, headache; flu symptoms; or cold symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat.

Drug interaction

Do not use a second inhaled bronchodilator that contains formoterol or a similar medicine (such as arformoterol, formoterol, indacaterol, olodaterol, salmeterol, or vilanterol).

Missed dose

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include chest pain, fast heartbeats, and feeling shaky or nervous.

Storage

Store at room temperature in an upright position, with the mouthpiece down. Keep away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.