BUDESONIDE/FORMOTEROL ORAL INHALER
In this session, we will be discussing the consumer medication information for budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler, trade name SymbicortTM
What it’s for & How to take
Budesonide/Formoterol oral inhaler is a combination medication that helps prevent symptoms of asthma, such as shortness of breath and wheezing. This medication may also be used to treat breathing problems caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Budesonide decreases the swelling in your airway and formoterol relaxes the muscle in your lungs. Treatment with this medication may help decrease swelling in your airway as well as decrease coughing and wheezing so that breathing may become easier and more comfortable.
Budesonide/Formoterol oral inhaler is to be used on a regular basis to be effective in treating breathing symptoms. This medication does not work to treat a sudden asthma attack. If you have a sudden attack of asthma, use your quick acting rescue inhaler to relieve your immediate symptoms.
When you pick up your inhaler for the first time, make sure the pharmacist shows you exactly how to use it. If you have any questions on how to work your inhaler, call your pharmacist or doctor and ask for instruction.
Budesonide/Formoterol oral inhaler needs to be primed before its first use, any time you drop the inhaler, and if it has not been used for 7 days or more. Prime the inhaler device by pumping 2 test sprays into the air, away from your face. Shake this inhaler for 5 seconds before each dose.
Budesonide/Formoterol oral inhaler is usually prescribed to be used 2 puffs twice daily. Your specific dosage is based on your response to treatment, specific clinical condition, and age.
If you have been using a rescue inhaler on a regular schedule, you may need to stop the regular use while using this inhaler. The rescue inhaler may still be used as needed. Talk about this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not use the inhaler more often than prescribed. Your condition may not get better any quicker; however, the side effects may get worse
If your doctor has prescribed you to use 2 or more puffs, wait 30-60 seconds between the first and the second puff.
Rinse your mouth out with water after each dose session to help prevent a fungal infection in your mouth (sometimes called thrush). Do not swallow the rinse water, spit it out. If your doctor has you using another inhaler at the same time as your budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler, use the other inhaler first.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of your next dose, skip it and continue with your normal dose time. Do not take a double dose to make up the missed dose.
Keep your inhaler clean and keep count of the number of inhalations left in the container. If you have any questions about how to clean your inhaler or keep track of the number of doses, ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain it to you.
If you have used your inhaler for 7 days and are not seeing any improvement or your symptoms are worsening, call your doctor. Self-monitoring also includes the use of a Peak Flow Meter. This is a simple device which helps you measure, on your own, how well your lungs are working. If you don’t already use one, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Most Important Warnings
- This medication may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Formoterol should only be used as additional therapy for patients not controlled by other asthma medications. This category of medication should not be used when breathing problems associated with asthma or COPD can be controlled with inhaled steroids alone and occasional rescue inhaler use.
Other Warnings & Cautions
- Rarely, after a dose of budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler, you may experience some wheezing. If this happens, use your quick acting inhaler to open your lungs and then call your doctor.
- Use of this medication for an extended period of time in children may slow the child’s growth. If your child is prescribed this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the short and long term risks of using budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler in children.
- It is possible that the use of budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler may hide the symptoms of an infection. While using this medication, use good hand hygiene to help prevent the possibility of an infection.
- Tell your doctor or dentist of your budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler use before you have any surgery or dental work performed.
- Let your pharmacist or doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medication.
Interactions & Side Effects
- Tell your pharmacist or doctor all your medication allergies so they may determine if budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler is safe for you to use.
- Avoid dangerous drug interactions. Tell your pharmacist or doctor all the other medication you are taking, including over the counter supplements, even if you don’t take them very often.
- Ask your doctor if this medication is safe to take with your current health conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any chest pain or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure, a history of seizure disorders, liver or kidney disease, a history of respiratory infections, osteoporosis, or any other current condition.
- While using budesonide/formoterol oral inhaler, you may feel some throat irritation or hoarseness. You may also feel some shaking, nervousness or headache. If these or any other unwanted side effects persist, contact your doctor or pharmacist to talk about it with them.
- Call your doctor right away if you begin to develop signs of thrush such as white patches on your tongue or in your mouth, any signs of an infection such as fever, chills, persistent cough or any chest pain or pounding heartbeat.
If you have any questions about what you have heard, contact your pharmacist or doctor. This session does not include all potential interactions or side effects that this medication may cause. Ask your pharmacist how your medication should be stored and how you should dispose of it when you are done taking it. Do not share your medication with anyone, ever. Remember, this is not meant to replace your counseling session with your pharmacist. In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Updated 7/20