Symbicort Turbuhaler

The active ingredients in Symbicort Turbuhaler are budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate. Budesonide is a steroid that helps prevent asthma attacks by reducing airway inflammation. Meanwhile, formoterol helps you breathe easier since it is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) that relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs.

This combination is used in the prevention and treatment of asthma symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness, in adults and children 6 years of age and older. It is typically used in those whose condition isn't well-managed with an asthma-control medicine like an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or whose asthma requires treatment with both an ICS and LABA. For mild asthma, AIR therapy (anti-inflammatory reliever therapy) can be used, where one dose of Symbicort Turbuhaler is used as a reliever when needed for shortness of breath, without needing to use it regularly. For severe asthma, SMART therapy (single maintenance and reliever therapy) can be used, where Symbicort Turbuhaler can be used as both a preventer and as a reliever.

Additionally, it is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide, before using Symbicort Turbuhaler. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Symbicort Turbuhaler:

• Symbicort Turbuhaler is a combination inhaler. The usual maintenance dose is two actuations (puffs) twice daily, morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart. The maximum recommended total daily dose is 8 inhalations.
• Use your Symbicort Turbuhaler at around the same time each day.
• After using your inhaler, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out right away. This can help decrease the risk of developing thrush, a fungal infection in your mouth and throat.
• Carefully follow your prescription label's instructions. If any part is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.
• If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the regular time, and do not take two doses at once.
• Use Symbicort Turbuhaler as prescribed and do not change the dosage or frequency without your doctor's direction.

Some side effects of Symbicort Turbuhaler include:

• Back pain.
• Headache.
• Hoarseness.
• Muscle cramps.
• Bronchitis.
• Upper respiratory tract infection.
• Sinusitis.
• Stomach discomfort.
• Vomiting.
• Fungal infection in your mouth or throat (thrush).
• Flu-like symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sinus pain, or sore throat.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Symbicort Turbuhaler. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Tremors, anxiety, chest pain, fast and irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, headache, or nervousness, which are signs of an overdose.
• Bronchospasm, increased wheezing or tightness in the chest, or difficulty in breathing immediately after an inhalation of Symbicort Turbuhaler.
• Decline in bone mineral density.
• High blood sugar, leading to increased thirst and urination, dry mouth, and fruity breath odor.
• Low potassium levels, leading to leg cramps, constipation, rapid and irregular heartbeats, chest fluttering, numbness or tingling, and muscle weakness or limpness.
• Signs of a hormonal disorder such as fatigue or weakness, light-headedness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Poor growth in children.
• Worsening glaucoma and cataracts.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Symbicort Turbuhaler. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Symbicort Turbuhaler, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including whether you have:

• Heart disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Seizures.
• Weakened immune system.
• Liver disease.
• Osteoporosis.
• Vision problems (glaucoma, cataracts).
• Diabetes.
• Drug allergies.
• Tuberculosis.
• Pneumonia or other lung infections.
• Recent exposure to chickenpox or measles.
• Thyroid disorders.
• Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low blood potassium levels).

• Previous hypersensitivity/allergic reaction to lactose or any ingredients in Symbicort Turbuhaler.
• Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma or COPD requiring intensive measures.

If you use Symbicort Turbuhaler for asthma, you may notice symptom improvement within 15 minutes of inhalation. However, full relief might take 2 weeks or longer after starting treatment. For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Symbicort Turbuhaler can improve lung function within 5 minutes. It may also reduce your need for a rescue inhaler to manage acute COPD symptoms.

When Symbicort Turbuhaler is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Using a second inhaled bronchodilator containing formoterol or similar medicines.
• Undergoing treatment with MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within two weeks of discontinuing such agents.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
• Taking long-term ketoconazole or other known potent CYP3A4 inhibitors.
• Using a beta-blocker may reduce the effectiveness of Symbicort in treating your symptoms.
• Diuretics or “water pills” used to lower blood pressure.

Symbicort Turbuhaler comes as a dry powder for oral inhalation and is available in the following strengths:

• 100 mcg budesonide / 6 mcg formoterol fumarate dihydrate
• 200 mcg budesonide / 6 mcg formoterol fumarate dihydrate
• 400 mcg budesonide / 12 mcg formoterol fumarate dihydrate

This combination is also available in different strengths as a Symbicort metered-dose inhaler.

Symbicort Turbuhaler should be stored at room temperature between 15ºC and 30ºC with the cover tightened.

Symbicort Turbuhaler is a registered trademark of the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

There are lower-cost generics available for the brand-name Symbicort Turbuhaler.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may gradually reduce the dose of your previous medication after you start using budesonide/formoterol.

It's unknown whether budesonide or formoterol will harm an unborn baby. However, untreated or uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy may cause complications like low birth weight, premature birth, or eclampsia—dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems for both mother and baby. The benefit of treating asthma may outweigh any risks to the baby. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Breastfeeding while using Symbicort may not be safe. In general, it should only be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risk to the breastfed child. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.