Symbicort is not used as arescue inhalerbut rather provides long-term control of obstructive airway diseases like asthma and COPD.
While safe, convenient, and effective, Symbicort is not appropriate for everyone.
Uses
Symbicort is approved for adults and children 6 years of age and over.
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COPD is only partially reversible in that airway damage tends to progress even with treatment.
Even so, combination inhalers like Symbicort can slow the disease progression even in those with advanced disease.
The indications for each disease are different.
LABAs are never used on their own to treat asthma.
With COPD, the indications are slightly different.
Inhaled corticosteroids are rarely if ever used on their own to treat COPD.
Whilepulmonary function testsmay be ordered to evaluate lung function, it is the frequency of exacerbations (a.k.a.
“attacks”) that will ultimately determine if Symbicort is appropriate.
See your healthcare provider regularly to monitor for progression of these pre-existing diseases if you use Symbicort.
Because of itsimmunosuppressiveeffects, Symbicort can make these childhood infections worse and, in some cases, fatal.
If a non-immunized child is exposed to measles or chickenpox while on Symbicort, let your healthcare provider know.
Animal studies suggest a potential risk of fetal harm when using Symbicort but no well-controlled human studies are available.
The benefits of treatment may outweigh the risks in some cases.
In some cases, a lower starting dose may be recommended and only increased if control is not achieved.
The maximum daily dose should never be exceeded.
Symbicort is not intended for permanent use in all people.
Be sure to refill your prescription when the counter approaches 20.
Do not take the inhaler apart or submerge it in water.
Do not puncture the canister or place it near a heat source as this can cause bursting.
Never use an inhaler past its expiration date.
Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Side Effects
As with any drug, Symbicort may cause side effects.
If they occur, they tend to be mild and will generally improve as your body adapts to treatment.
If symptoms persist or worsen, let your healthcare provider know.
It is for this reason that the lowest possible dose should be used whenever possible.
Thefrequencyof symptoms, however, varies between Symbicort 80/4.5-mcg inhaler and Symbicort 160/4.5-mcg inhaler.
This is in contrast with greater risk when corticosteroids are taken orally or intravenously.
If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, cardiac or respiratory failure, and death.
Although this is more common withrescue inhalersthan with LABA-containing inhalers, it can still occur.
In 2017, the FDA approved the removal of the boxed warning on all combination steroid/LABA inhalers.
Taking higher doses of Symbicort will not improve your asthma or COPD symptoms.
Severe overdoses may require hospitalization with cardiac monitoring.
Do not take a beta-blocker if you experience signs of overdose.
The treatment needs to be medically supervised, and some beta-blockers can trigger an asthma attack if used inappropriately.
The competition for CYP450 can cause adverse changes in the blood concentration of one or both drugs.
In other cases, a drug substitution may be needed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first generic of Symbicort to treat asthma and COPD.
AstraZeneca.Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, for oral inhalation use.
American Lung Association.Assess and monitor your asthma control.
2019;44(7):HS8-HS16.
