Symbicort is a prescription medication used to manage respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s a combination inhaler that contains two active ingredients:
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What is Symbicort Turbohaler
An easy-to-use inhaler designed for people with moderate to severe asthma. Used correctly as prescribed, Symbicort Turbohaler can alleviate asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
How it works
Symbicort Turbohaler works as both a reliever and a preventer. It contains 2 active ingredients: formoterol fumarate dihydrate and budesonide. Formoterol fumarate dihydrate is a long-acting bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are a type of medication that makes breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways. Budesonide is one of a group of medicines called corticosteroids, which are often referred to simply as steroids. Steroids have an anti-inflammatory action, reducing the irritation and swelling in the airways, and so ease breathing problems like asthma.
Effectiveness
Symbicort Turbohaler should help control breathing immediately. Used daily, Symbicort Turbohaler can help prevent asthma attacks and control symptoms, such as wheeze or a night-time cough. Some use the Symbicort Turbohaler when they need extra doses for relief of asthma symptoms, whereas others have a reliever inhaler like Ventolin (salbutamol) to hand in case of sudden breathing problems.
Safety: taking other medicines
You should be able to use Symbicort Turbohaler alongside other medicines. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Symbicort Turbohaler safely.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have ever needed intensive care treatment for your asthma, or have been admitted to hospital because of your symptoms in the last year, we will be unable to prescribe you Symbicort Turbohaler.
Symbicort should be administered as 2 inhalations twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart), every day by the orally inhaled route only. After inhalation, the patient should rinse the mouth with water without swallowing.
Correct inhaler use Unscrew the white cover and remove. Hold your Symbicort Turbohaler upright with the red grip at the bottom. Do not shake the inhaler. To load a dose, turn the red grip as far as it will go in one direction, then turn it as far as it will go in the other direction until you hear a click. Hold your Symbicort Turbohaler away from your mouth and breathe out gently as far as is comfortable. Place the mouthpiece between your teeth (do not bite it) and close your lips to make a seal. Breathe in as deeply and as hard as you can through your mouth. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out gently. Repeat if you are taking another dose. Once you have taken your prescribed dose, replace the cover and rinse your mouth out.
Symbicort, like any medication, can cause side effects. However, not everyone will experience them, and many people tolerate the medication well.
The side effects of Symbicort can be broken down into common and more serious ones:
Common side effects: Sore throat or mouth/throat irritation Headache Coughing or a dry cough Hoarseness Mouth or throat fungal infections (thrush), which can occur because of the inhaled corticosteroid (budesonide) in Symbicort Nasal congestion or sinus infection Nausea or mild gastrointestinal discomfort
Active ingredients
Budesonide and Formoterol
Inactive ingredients
Lactose monohydrate
Patient Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment. View patient information leaflet.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1326.pdf
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