Symbicort Inhaler (Budesonide/Formoterol)

Do’s

• Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use of Symbocort Inhaler provided by your pharmacist. This should be done before starting the medication and each time you get a refill.
• Follow the illustrated directions for the proper use of the medication. When using the inhaler for the first time, after not using it for more than 7 days, or if the inhaler was dropped, make sure to prime the inhaler away from the face to avoid getting the medication into your eyes.
• Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds before each use. Inhale the medication by mouth as directed by your healthcare provider, usually twice daily (in the morning and evening, 12 hours apart).
• If the prescribed dose is 2 puffs, wait at least one minute between them. If using other inhalers at the same time, wait at least 1 minute between the use of each medication, and use Symbicort last.
• To prevent dry mouth, hoarseness, and oral yeast infections, gargle, rinse your mouth with water, and spit it out after each use.
• Clean the inhaler once a week with a dry cloth.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
• Use Symbicort regularly at evenly spaced times.
• It may take 1 week or longer before you get the full benefit of Symbicort. Inform your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve or worsen.
• Learn which inhalers to use every day (controller drugs) and which to use if your breathing suddenly worsens (quick-relief drugs). Ask your healthcare provider ahead of time what to do in specific situations related to your breathing.

Don’ts

• Do not swallow the rinse water after washing your mouth.
• Do not take the inhaler apart when cleaning.
• Do not increase your dose, use this medication more often, or stop using it without consulting your doctor.

• Throat pain or irritation
• White patches in the mouth or throat
• Stomach discomfort, vomiting
• Flu symptoms
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sinus pain, sore throat

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. If you experience any adverse effects, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice. 

If you are regularly taking a different corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, you should not stop taking it unless directed by your healthcare provider. Abruptly stopping the medication may lead to withdrawal symptoms and worsening of certain conditions such as asthma and allergies.

If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler on a regular daily schedule, you must stop this schedule and only use the quick-relief inhaler as needed for sudden shortness of breath or asthma attacks. Consult your healthcare provider for details.

Symbicort may lead to localized infections of the mouth and pharynx with Candida albicans. Additionally, as with other inhaled medications, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with Symbicort.

The use of long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists (LABA) as monotherapy for asthma is associated with an increased risk of asthma-related death and hospitalization. Therefore, Symbicort inhaler should not be used as a rescue inhaler for fast relief of an acute asthma attack.

These warnings and precautions are essential for the safe and effective use of Symbicort Inhaler. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and treatment.