Symbicort General Information
Symbicort is used to control and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma or ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). It contains 2 medications: Symbicort and Symbicort. Symbicort belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It works by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. Symbicort belongs to the class of drugs known as long-acting beta agonists. It works by opening airways in the lungs to make breathing easier. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school.
Symbicort must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work immediately and should not be used to relieve sudden asthma attacks. If an asthma attack occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler (such as albuterol, also called salbutamol in some countries) as prescribed.
Do not use Symbicort with other long-acting inhaled beta agonists (such as arSymbicort) because doing so may increase your risk for side effects.
How to Use Symbicort
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using Symbicort and each time you get a refill. Read the patient instructions for directions on how to use this inhaler properly. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Follow the instructions for priming the inhaler if you are using it for the first time, if you have not used it for more than 7 days, or if the inhaler was dropped. When priming the inhaler, make sure to spray away from the face so that you do not get the medication into your eyes.
Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds before each use. Inhale Symbicort by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily (in the morning and evening, 12 hours apart).
If your prescribed dose is 2 puffs, wait at least one minute between them. If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait at least 1 minute between the use of each medication, and use Symbicort last.
Gargle and rinse your mouth with water after using Symbicort to help prevent irritation and yeast infections (thrush) in the mouth and throat. Do not swallow the rinse water.
Clean the inhaler once a week with a dry cloth. Do not take the inhaler apart.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use Symbicort regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Symbicort works best if used at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose, use Symbicort more frequently, or stop using it without first consulting your doctor. Also, do not use other long-acting beta agonists while using Symbicort.
If you are regularly using a different corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone), you should not stop using it unless directed by your doctor. You may have withdrawal symptoms if the drug is suddenly stopped. Some conditions (such as asthma, allergies) may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. To prevent withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness), your doctor may direct you to slowly lower the dose of your old medication after you begin using Symbicort. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately. See also Precautions section.
If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler (such as albuterol, also called salbutamol in some countries) on a regular daily schedule (such as 4 times daily), you must stop this schedule and only use the quick-relief inhaler as needed for sudden shortness of breath/asthma attacks. Consult your doctor for details.
It may take 1 week or longer before you get the full benefit of Symbicort. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
Learn which of your inhalers you should use every day (controller drugs) and which you should use if your breathing suddenly worsens (quick-relief drugs). Ask your doctor ahead of time what you should do if you have new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum, worsening peak flow meter readings, waking up at night with trouble breathing, if you use your quick-relief inhaler more often (more than 2 days a week), or if your quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well. Learn when you can treat sudden breathing problems by yourself and when you must get medical help right away.
Symbicort Possible Side Effects
Headache, throat irritation, or stomach upset may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Symbicort because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Symbicort do not have serious side effects.
Symbicort may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.
Infrequently, Symbicort may cause severe sudden worsening of breathing problems/asthma immediately after use. If you have sudden worsening of breathing, use your quick-relief inhaler and get medical help right away.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: white patches on tongue/in mouth, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), mental/mood changes (such as nervousness), trouble sleeping, vision problems (such as blurred vision), increased thirst/urination, muscle cramps, shaking (tremors).
Get medical help right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: chest pain, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, seizures.
A very serious allergic reaction to Symbicort is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, sudden trouble breathing.
Symbicort Precautions
Before using Symbicort, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to Symbicort or Symbicort; or to arSymbicort; or if you have any other allergies. Symbicort may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using Symbicort, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: current/past infections (such as tuberculosis, herpes), high blood pressure, heart disease (such as chest pain, heart attack, irregular heartbeat), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), seizures, bone loss (osteoporosis), eye problems (such as cataracts, glaucoma), diabetes, liver disease, swelling of an artery (aneurysm), a certain tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma).
Symbicort may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation. Before using Symbicort, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using Symbicort safely.
Symbicort may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.
If you have switched from a corticosteroid taken by mouth (such as prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, or if you have been using Symbicort in higher-than-usual doses for a long time, it may be more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore, before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using Symbicort or have used a corticosteroid taken by mouth within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. Carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that says you use (or have used) corticosteroid medications.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Symbicort may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time, but poorly controlled asthma can also slow down growth. The effect on final adult height is unknown. See the doctor regularly so your child's height can be checked.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Symbicort, especially QT prolongation (see above).
During pregnancy, Symbicort should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Babies born to mothers who have used corticosteroids for a long time may develop hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.
Symbicort passes into breast milk. It is unknown if Symbicort passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Symbicort Possible Intercations
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with Symbicort include: aldesleukin, mifepristone.