Symbicort

Overview

The combination of budesonide and formoterol is used to prevent and treat difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older. The combination of budesonide and formoterol is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways, that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema) in adults. Budesonide is in a class of medications called steroids. It works by reducing swelling in the airways. Formoterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta agonists (LABAs). It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Brand Name(s)

Breyna 80/4.5
Symbicort 160/4.5
Symbicort 80/4.5
Breyna 160/4.5

AccuNeb
Advair Diskus
Advair HFA
AirDuo Digihaler
AirDuo RespiClick 113/14
AirDuo RespiClick 232/14
AirDuo RespiClick 55/14
Airsupra
Albuterol
Albuterol Sulfate
Albuterol Sulfate ER
Albuterol Sulfate HFA
Anoro Ellipta
Arcapta Neohaler
Arformoterol Tartrate
Asthma Relief
Asthmanefrin Refill
Asthmanefrin Starter Kit
Bevespi Aerosphere
Breo Ellipta
Breyna
Breztri Aerosphere
Bronkaid Max
Brovana
Budesonide-Formoterol Fumarate
Clenbuterol HCl
Combivent
Combivent Respimat
CVS Asthma Relief
Duaklir Pressair
Dulera
DuoNeb
ePHEDrine HCl
ePHEDrine Sulfate
EPINEPHrine HCl
Fluticasone Furoate-Vilanterol
Fluticasone-Salmeterol
Foradil Aerolizer
Formoterol Fumarate
Ipratropium-Albuterol
Isoproterenol HCl
Isoproterenol Sulfate
Isoproterenol-Sodium Chloride
Isuprel
Levalbuterol HCl
Levalbuterol Tartrate
Maxair Autohaler
Metaproterenol Sulfate
Micronefrin
Perforomist
Primatene
Primatene Mist
ProAir Digihaler
ProAir HFA
ProAir RespiClick
Proventil HFA
S2 (Racepinephrine)
Serevent Diskus
Stiolto Respimat
Striverdi Respimat
Symbicort
Terbutaline Sulfate
Trelegy Ellipta
Utibron Neohaler
Ventolin HFA
VoSpire ER
Wixela Inhub
Xopenex
Xopenex Concentrate
Xopenex HFA

What Form(s) Does Budesonide-Formoterol Fumarate Come In?

Powder
Liquid Under Pressure

How it's Taken

By breathing

How to Take Budesonide-Formoterol Fumarate

Inhalation routeShake the inhaler well just before each use. Avoid spraying this medicine into your eyes.

Inhalation routeOpen your mouth and breathe in slowly and deeply (like yawning), and at the same time firmly press down on the top of the canister once.

Prime the Symbicort® inhaler before using it for the first time. Shake well for 5 seconds, then spray into the air, away from your face. Shake and spray a second time. It is now ready for use. If the inhaler has been dropped or has not been used for more than 7 days, prime it again before use.

Prime the Symbicort Aerosphere® inhaler before using it for the first time. Shake the inhaler and spray the medicine into the air away from your face. Do this 4 times. You will need to re-prime the inhaler after each cleaning and if you have not used it for 7 days or longer, or if you have dropped it. Re-prime the inhaler by shaking and spraying it into the air away from your face 2 times.

Inhalation routeYou will use this medicine with a device called a metered-dose inhaler. The inhaler fits on the medicine canister and turns the medicine into a fine spray that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. You may be told to use a spacer, which is a tube that is placed between the inhaler and your mouth. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler and the spacer (if needed).

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Never use more medicine than your doctor prescribed.

Inhalation routeKeep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.

Inhalation routeStore the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty. Store the inhaler with the mouthpiece down.

Inhalation routeIf you are supposed to use more than one puff, wait 1 to 2 minutes before inhaling the second puff. Repeat these steps for the next puff, starting with shaking the inhaler.

Inhalation routeTo inhale this medicine, breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. Put the mouthpiece just in front of your mouth with the canister upright.

Clean the actuator at least once a week with warm water for 30 seconds. Shake off the excess water. Let the actuator air-dry overnight. Do not let the canister get wet.

Inhalation routeWhen you have finished all your inhalations, rinse your mouth out with water. Do not swallow the water after rinsing.

Inhalation routeHold your breath for about 5 to 10 seconds, and then breathe out slowly.

Inhalation routeRemove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean.

The dose counter at the top of the inhaler will turn yellow when the inhaler has 20 or fewer doses left. Throw the inhaler when it reaches 0, or if it has been 3 months since you last opened the foil pouch.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Budesonide-Formoterol Fumarate Contraindications

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to budesonide or formoterol. Do not use this medicine during an acute asthma attack or COPD flare-up.

Budesonide-Formoterol Fumarate Warnings

Patients with COPD may be more likely to have pneumonia when taking this medicine. Check with your doctor if you start having an increased sputum (spit) production, change in sputum color, fever, chills, increased cough, or an increase in breathing problems.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blurred vision, difficulty with reading, or any other change in vision while using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). Be sure to keep all appointments.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification (ID) card stating that you are using this medicine. The card will say that you or your child may need additional medicine during an emergency, a severe asthma attack or other illness, or unusual stress.

This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your breathing or wheezing will get worse. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be life-threatening. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing after using this medicine.

This medicine may cause children to grow more slowly than usual. Talk to your child's doctor if you have any concerns.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: darkening of the skin; diarrhea; dizziness; fainting; loss of appetite; mental depression; nausea; skin rash; unusual tiredness or weakness; or vomiting.

This medicine may affect blood sugar and potassium levels. If you have heart disease or are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar or potassium tests, check with your doctor.

This medicine may decrease bone mineral density when used for a long time. A low bone mineral density can cause weak bones or osteoporosis. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are also using any other medicine for your COPD. Your doctor may want you to use your other medicine only during a severe COPD attack.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of asthma-related hospital stays, intubations, and deathIncreased risk of infection, including fungus infection in the mouth (thrush)Increased risk of pneumonia in people who have COPDAdrenal gland problemsParadoxical bronchospasm (trouble breathing right after use), which can be life-threateningHeart rhythm problemsLow bone mineral density, which may lead to osteoporosisSlow growth in childrenGlaucoma or cataractsHigh blood sugar levels

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, seizures, thyroid problems, diabetes, any kind of infection (including tuberculosis or herpes infection of the eye), thyroid problems, eye problems (including cataracts or glaucoma), if you have a weak immune system, or a history of osteoporosis. Tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to chickenpox or measles.

You may need to use this medicine for 1 to 2 weeks before your asthma starts to get better.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Do not use this medicine for a sudden COPD attack, or if symptoms of a COPD attack has already started. Make sure you always have your rescue medicine with you to treat sudden symptoms. Tell your doctor right away if your condition gets worse or you need to use your other medicine more often than usual.

Inhalation routeIf any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

If you or your child develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Budesonide-Formoterol Fumarate Interactions