Common use

Symbicort is a slow-acting formula that works in conjunction with fast-acting drugs to relieve asthma and COPD symptoms. Symbicort is not a replacement for fast-acting asthma medications or rescue inhalers.
Symbicort works by reducing inflammation and dilating the bronchioles, thus relieving some of the main symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma.
Symbicort can help prevent and treat asthma in adults and children more than six years old.
Symbicort can help treat forms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease including emphysema and bronchitis.

Dosage and direction

Symbicort is administered twice daily with 12 hours between administrations. Each administration consists of two oral inhalations of Symbicort. Be sure to follow the dosage and usage instructions provided by your doctor.

To administer Symbicort:
1) Shake well, and inspect mouthpiece for debris.
2) Exhale fully and seal mouth around the mouthpiece of the Symbicort inhaler, aiming the upright inhaler at the back of your throat.
3) Press down firmly on the top of the inhaler while inhaling deeply and slowly.
4) Inhale for as long as is comfortable, and hold your breath for several seconds.
5) Release your finger from the top of the inhaler, remove the inhaler, and breathe normally.
Repeat 1-5 for second dose. Rinse mouth thoroughly after use.

Precautions

Symbicort is a slow acting anti inflammatory and bronchodilator. It is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used as a first resort to treat an asthma attack, as its effects are too slow.
If you experience an asthma attack, take only your fast-acting medication. If relief does not follow, do not take Symbicort, dial ambulance.
If Symbicort gets into your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. If redness or irritation persists, contact your doctor.

Contraindications

Symbicort is contraindicated as a primary treatment for asthma or COPD. Symbicort should only be used in conjunction with other asthma or COPD treatments.
Symbicort is contraindicated for patients who experience hypersensitivity or allergy to budesonide or formoterol.

Possible side effect

Possible common side effects of Symbicort are flu-like symptoms including: Runny nose; Aches and tiredness; Tenderness around the nose and eyes; Ear congestion; Sore throat, difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, loss of voice; Fever and chills; Headaches; Tightness in chest.

Less common side effects of Symbicort include: Frequent urge to urinate, bladder pain, bloody or cloudy urine, burning pain while urinating; Congestion, mucus producing cough, dry throat, hoarseness; Diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, loss of appetite; Erratic or irregular pulse, increased pulse; Joint pain; Tenderness or pain in lower back or side; Tenderness or swelling around neck and throat, sore mouth or tongue, voice changes, noisy breathing, trouble swallowing, white patches on the tongue or mouth; Shaking or trembling of the extremities and limbs; Shivering, sweating; Trouble sleeping.

Rare and serious side effects of Symbicort include: Blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, fainting, seizures; Dry mouth; Enlarged pupils, sensitivity to light; Flushed skin; Fruit-like breath odor; Hive like swellings on mouth, tongue, throat, face, hands, feet or genitals; Severe headache; Severe chest pain, irregular heart beat.

Drug interaction

Symbicort should not be taken with other anti-inflammatory drugs or other bronchodilators. Symbicort should not be used with expectorants. Symbicort may reduce the effectiveness of certain blood glucose affecting drugs or stomach acid affecting drugs.
For more complete drug interaction information, refer to the complete list of interactions provided with your Symbicort inhaler or ask your pharmacist.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Symbicort, take your next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Overdose

If an overdose occurs, contact your doctor immediately. Overdose symptoms may include becoming extremely short of breath, having an erratic pulse, or becoming disoriented. If one or more of these side effects occur, dial ambulance.

Storage

Symbicort should be kept upright in a dry location between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F).
If your Symbicort inhaler has not been used for seven days or more, you must prime the inhaler by shaking it for five seconds and spraying a dose away from yourself.