Symbicort Generic

This article tells the readers about the Symbicort inhaler and how to use it properly. You will also learn about its ingredients and the health conditions it can treat.

What Is Symbicort (Budesonide Formoterol) Inhaler?

Symbicot is a generic name for asthma and lung disease symptoms resolver that consists of two components, Formoterol and Budesonide, so the preparation can also go under the name of Budesonide-Formoterol.

Formoterol is a medication belonging to the class of medical preparations called long-acting beta-agonists. Its action is related to relaxing the airways’ muscles. Then, the airways can open up for easier breathing. The preparation can control breathing problems that prevent normal work, studies, and lifestyle. The medication is used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids because, if applied alone, long-acting beta-agonists can cause the risk of asthma-related life-threatening consequences. That is why it is important to know how to utilize this inhaler and always consult your physician before you start applying it to asthma relief. It’s Budesonide that belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It reduces swelling and irritation of the airways.

Therefore, Symbicort is mostly used to prevent asthma symptoms, like shortness of breath or wheezing, or effectively control them. It is also efficient for lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, and its display in the form of chronic emphysema or bronchitis.

How to Use Symbicort Inhaler?

You need to read the leaflet containing the information for patients and the use instructions carefully to ensure that you know how to utilize this preparation. You also have to talk to your physician or pharmacist if you are not sure about some points of the instructions.

If you use the inhaler for the first time or haven’t used it for more than a week, prime it. Do the same if the inhaler is dropped. Spray away from the face to prevent getting the preparation into your eyes.

You have to shake the container properly for at least 5 seconds before every use. You need to inhale the drug via your mouth, as recommended by the doctor, twice per day with 12 hours apart. The inhaling sessions are better conducted in the morning and in the evening.

You can usually use the dose of 1 puff. However, if the physician prescribes two puffs, make a 1-minute pause between them. You can also use it alongside other inhalers, but you need to wait at least 1 minute between different medications and apply this drug last.

You may experience dry mouth, oral yeast infections, and hoarseness. To prevent them, you need to rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after each use. Never swallow the water you have rinsed your mouth with.

There is a need to clean the inhaler with a dry cloth once a week. Never take the device apart.

You have to use this drug regularly to make it more beneficial. However, the dosage is usually based on your organism’s response to this treatment. The medication shows a better effect if you apply it at approximately the same time of the day. Never increase the dose on your own or attempt to utilize it more often than prescribed. Avoid canceling it yourself without a consultation with your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid using other long-acting beta-agonists alongside this preparation. You might experience severe withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the inhaler or cancel taking corticosteroids by mouth if you did it before. These symptoms may include weight loss, headache, dizziness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, and muscle pain. Your doctor will lower the dose gradually if needed to prevent these symptoms.

Don’t use a quick-relief inhaler, for example, albuterol, regularly as you did before taking Symbicort. For instance, if you are used to applying it 4 times per day, stop such a schedule and apply it only when needed, like in the case of a sudden asthma attack or breath shortness.

The full effect of Symbicort will be obvious in about a week or longer. If your symptoms don’t improve or your condition gets worse, talk to your doctor about it.

You need to be aware of the ways to treat your sudden breathing issues with quick-relief drugs, too, because Symbicort does not belong to such preparations.

Side Effects and Precautions

Most people who use Symbicort do not suffer from any side effects. However, talk to your doctor if you experience throat irritation, headache, or stomach upset. The medication can also cause high blood pressure, so you must check it regularly to ensure that things are going smoothly.

The rarest side effect is sudden worsening of breathing problems or asthma directly after the drug application. Use your quick-relief inhaler first and get the urgent medical help as soon as possible.

Other serious side effects can include the following:

• sore throat accompanied by fever;
• white patches in your mouth or on the tongue;
• changes in your mood or nervousness;
• blurred vision;
• trouble sleeping;
• excessive urination;
• increased thirst;
• shaking or tremors;
• muscle cramps.

There may also be very serious side effects that need the immediate medical help, such as severe dizziness, chest pain, zeisures, too fast, irregular, or too slow heartbeat, and fainting.

Serious allergic reactions are also possible, but they are pretty rare. You need to call the emergency right away if you notice such symptoms as rash, itching, swelling of your throat, tongue, or face, trouble breathing, and heavy dizziness.

The list of side effects may be incomplete, so if you notice something strange about your overall condition, contact your physician or pharmacist as soon as possible.

You need to inform your doctor if you are allergic to some components of this preparation or to some other products and medications. You should also highlight specific details of your medical history, such as the following:

• present or past tuberculosis, herpes, or other infections;
• heart disease;
• high blood pressure;
• overactive thyroid;
• osteoporosis;
• seizures;
• eye problems;
• liver disease;
• diabetes;
• aneurysm;
• tumors of the adrenal gland.

Mind that Formoterol may lead to QT prolongation that can affect your heart condition and become occasionally life-threatening.

Healthcare experts do not recommend using this product during pregnancy if it is not severely needed. The same is about breastfeeding. You should always consult your physician or pharmacist if you encounter some issues or your health condition has changed.