Common use

Symbicort is a powerful combination inhaler containing two active ingredients — budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, and formoterol, a long-acting bronchodilator. Together, this budesonide formoterol combination provides dual-action respiratory relief that addresses both inflammation and airway constriction simultaneously. When you buy Symbicort online, you receive a clinically proven COPD medication and asthma treatment trusted by healthcare professionals worldwide.

Symbicort can help prevent and control asthma symptoms in adults and children over six years of age, making it a versatile choice for families dealing with respiratory conditions. It is also an effective COPD medication, helping to manage symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

As a maintenance combination inhaler, Symbicort works by delivering the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide to reduce airway inflammation while the bronchodilator formoterol relaxes and opens constricted airways. This dual mechanism of action provides comprehensive symptom relief, improved lung function, and reduced frequency of flare-ups. It is important to understand that Symbicort is a slow-acting controller medication — it is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used as a replacement for fast-acting bronchodilators during acute asthma attacks or sudden breathing emergencies. A Symbicort generic equivalent offers the same trusted budesonide formoterol formulation at a more affordable price point.

Dosage and direction

Symbicort is administered twice daily, with approximately 12 hours between each administration for consistent respiratory coverage. Each dose consists of two oral inhalations of Symbicort. Always follow the specific dosage and usage instructions provided by your doctor to achieve optimal asthma treatment or COPD management results.

To administer Symbicort:

• Shake the inhaler well before each use and inspect the mouthpiece for any debris or obstructions.
• Exhale fully and create a tight seal with your lips around the mouthpiece, aiming the upright inhaler toward the back of your throat.
• Press down firmly on the top of the inhaler while inhaling deeply and slowly through your mouth.
• Continue inhaling for as long as is comfortable, then hold your breath for several seconds to allow the budesonide formoterol medication to reach deep into your lungs.
• Release your finger from the top of the inhaler, remove the device from your mouth, and breathe normally.
• Repeat steps 1 through 5 for your second inhalation dose.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after each use to reduce the risk of oral thrush, a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroid medications.

 How to use:

Instructions for use of Symbicort Turbuhaler 160/4.5 mcg/dose
How to prepare a new inhaler for use
Before using a new Symbicort Turbuhaler for the first time, you need to prepare the
inhaler for use as follow:
1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. A rattling sound is heard when you unscrew the
cover.
2. Hold the inhaler upright with the grip at the bottom (Figure 2). Do not hold the
mouthpiece when you turn the grip.
3. To load the inhaler, turn the grip as far as it will go in one direction. Then turn it
back as far as it will go in the other direction. It does not matter which way you
turn it first. You will hear a click during this procedure. Repeat this procedure
twice.

 Figure 1
4. The inhaler is now ready for use.
Using the inhaler
Every time you need to take an inhalation, follow the instructions below:
1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. A rattling sound is heard when you unscrew
the cover.
2. Hold the inhaler upright with the red grip at the bottom
(Figure 2).
3. Do not hold the mouthpiece when you turn the grip. To
load the inhaler with a dose, turn the grip as far as it will
go in one direction and then turn it as far as it will go in the
other direction. It does not matter which way you turn it first. You will hear a
cover
grip
mouthpiece
dose indicator
Figure 2
click during this procedure. Your Turbuhaler is now loaded and ready to use.
Only load your Symbicort Turbuhaler when you need to use it.
4. Hold your Turbuhaler away from your mouth. Breathe out gently. Do not
breathe out through the mouthpiece.
5. Gently place the mouthpiece between your teeth. Close your lips and breathe
in deeply and forcefully through your mouth (Figure 3 do not chew or bite
the mouthpiece).
Figure 3
6. Remove the inhaler from your mouth before you breathe out. Since the
amount of medicine that is inhaled is very small, you may not be able to taste
it after you inhale, however, if you have followed the instructions, you can be
confident that you have inhaled the dose.
7. If you have been prescribed more than one inhalation, repeat steps 2-6
8. Screw the cover on back tightly.
9. Rinse your mouth with water; do not swallow.
Attention!
• Replace the cover properly after use.
• Do not try to remove or twist the mouthpiece. It is fixed to the inhaler and must
not be taken off. The mouthpiece can be turned, but avoid doing this
unnecessarily. Do not use your Turbuhaler if it is damaged or if the
mouthpiece has come off the inhaler.
• As with all inhalers, caregivers should ensure that children use correct
inhalation technique, as described above.
Cleaning
Clean the outside of the mouthpiece regularly (once a week) with a dry tissue.
Do not use water or other liquids to clean the mouthpiece.

Precautions

Symbicort is a slow-acting anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator designed for ongoing respiratory maintenance — it is not a rescue inhaler and must not be used as a first-line response to an acute asthma attack, as its effects take time to develop. If you experience a sudden asthma attack, use only your prescribed fast-acting rescue medication. If adequate relief does not follow, seek emergency medical assistance immediately by calling 911.

If Symbicort accidentally contacts your eyes during administration, rinse them thoroughly with clean water. Should redness, irritation, or blurred vision persist, contact your healthcare provider promptly. Patients who buy Symbicort online should be aware that long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids like budesonide may affect bone density and growth in children, so regular monitoring by your doctor is advisable.

Contraindications

Symbicort is contraindicated as a primary or sole treatment for asthma or COPD. This combination inhaler should only be used alongside other prescribed asthma or COPD treatments as part of a comprehensive respiratory management plan. Symbicort is also contraindicated for patients who have a known hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to either budesonide or formoterol, the two active ingredients in this medication.

Possible side effect

When using this budesonide formoterol combination inhaler for asthma treatment or COPD medication, some patients may experience side effects. Common side effects resemble flu-like symptoms, including:

Runny nose and nasal congestion

General aches, fatigue, and tiredness

Tenderness or pressure around the nose and eyes (sinus discomfort)

Ear congestion or fullness

Sore throat, difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, sneezing, or temporary loss of voice

Fever and chills

Headaches of varying intensity

Tightness or discomfort in the 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 heart rate
• Joint pain or muscle stiffness
• Tenderness or pain in the 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 (oral thrush — a known side effect of inhaled corticosteroid use)
• Shaking or trembling of the extremities and limbs
• Shivering and sweating
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia

Rare and serious side effects of Symbicort include

• Blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, fainting, or seizures
• Persistent dry mouth
• Enlarged pupils and increased sensitivity to light
• Flushed or reddened skin
• Fruity breath odor (a potential sign of metabolic changes)
• Hive-like swellings on the mouth, tongue, throat, face, hands, feet, or genitals (angioedema)
• Severe headache
• Severe chest pain or irregular heartbeat

If you experience any rare or serious side effects, discontinue use and seek immediate medical attention.

Drug interaction

Symbicort should not be taken concurrently with other anti-inflammatory drugs or additional bronchodilators, as this may lead to excessive medication or increased side effects. This combination inhaler should not be used alongside expectorants. Symbicort may also reduce the effectiveness of certain blood glucose-regulating medications or stomach acid-reducing drugs. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole and ritonavir may increase systemic exposure to budesonide, so inform your doctor about all current medications.

For a comprehensive list of drug interactions, refer to the detailed information provided with your Symbicort inhaler or consult your pharmacist before you buy Symbicort.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Symbicort, simply take your next scheduled dose at the regular time. Do not take a double or "make-up" dose to compensate for the missed one. Maintaining a consistent 12-hour dosing schedule is the best approach for continuous respiratory symptom control.

Overdose

If an overdose of Symbicort occurs, contact your doctor or emergency medical services immediately. Overdose symptoms may include extreme shortness of breath, rapid or erratic pulse, tremor, headache, or disorientation. If you or someone you know exhibits one or more of these symptoms after using this combination inhaler, call 911 without delay.

Storage

Symbicort should be stored upright in a dry location at a temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Keep the inhaler away from open flames or high heat sources, as the canister is pressurized. If your Symbicort inhaler has not been used for seven days or more, prime it by shaking vigorously for five seconds and releasing one test spray away from your face before resuming regular use.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care advisor or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.