Using the inhaler for the first time
You need to prepare your inhaler before the first use. Unscrew the inhaler cover and take it off. You may hear a rattling noise. Hold the inhaler upright (the red grip needs to be at the bottom) and turn the red grip as far as you can in one direction. Then turn it as far as possible in the opposite direction. You will hear a clicking noise. Repeat the process once again turning the red grip in both directions and your inhaler is ready for use.
Taking an inhalation
Every time you take an inhalation, you need to follow the instructions below. If you are not sure whether you are using your inhaler in the correct way, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
1. Unscrew and remove the lid (you may hear a rattling noise as you do this).
2. Hold your Symbicort turbohaler upright, ensuring the red grip is at the bottom.
3. You need to load your inhaler with one dose. To do this, turn the red grip as far as you can in one direction. Repeat this process, turning it into the other direction until you hear a clicking sound. You mustn’t hold the mouthpiece while loading the inhaler.
4. Breathe out gently and hold your inhaler away from you to avoid breathing into it.
5. Place the mouthpiece of the inhaler between your teeth without biting or chewing it. Take a deep and hard breath through your mouth.
6. Remove the mouthpiece and breathe out slowly.
If you require an additional dose, repeat the same steps. You may not be able to taste the medicine - this is perfectly normal and does not mean you have not inhaled correctly.
To clean your inhaler, wipe the outside of the mouthpiece with a dry tissue. You should clean the mouthpiece once a week. Avoid using water or detergent.
Beginning a new Symbicort inhaler
There is a dose indicator on the side of the Symbicort turbohaler. It tells you how many doses are left. The markings indicate intervals of ten doses. When you reach the last ten doses, the background of the indicator will be red. You need to begin using a new inhaler when the 0 on the red background reaches the middle of the window. Please note, that the clicking noise you hear when you prepare your inhaler does not indicate whether there is any medicine left.