How does Symbicort prevent asthma?

Symbicort contains two ingredients which prevent asthma. Both work in different ways to reduce asthma symptoms.

Budesonide

Budesonide is a corticosteroid. It acts on your lungs and reduces swelling as well as inflammation, making it easier for you to breathe.

Formoterol fumarate dihydrate

Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting bronchodilator. This means, that it relaxes the muscles in your airways. As a result, your airways dilate and you will find it easier to breathe.

Do I still need a reliever inhaler?

Your GP will decide whether you require a reliever inhaler such as Ventolin in addition to Symbicort. Some asthma patients use a blue inhaler to relieve acute symptoms, others are advised to use an additional dose of Symbicort to combat acute asthma symptoms.

Using Symbicort in combination with a reliever inhaler

The usual dosage when using symbicort as well as a reliever inhaler is one or two inhalations twice a day. Your GP will decide which dosage you require and may adjust the number of inhalations depending on how your symptoms develop.

Use your reliever inhaler whenever symptoms occur. Speak to your GP if your symptoms worsen.

Using Symbicort Turbohaler as a standalone treatment

Use your Symbicort inhaler as advised, taking one inhalation in the morning and in the evening or two inhalations in the morning and evening. If you use Symbicort as a reliever inhaler, take one inhalation when you notice symptoms, then wait several minutes for the medicine to take effect. If you do not notice an improvement you can take another inhalation, but you must not exceed a maximum dosage of six inhalations in one sitting.

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.

Symbicort can cause side effects.

Common Side Effects:

• palpitations (awareness of your heartbeat)
• trembling and shaking
• sore throat, hoarse voice and coughing
• headache
• oral thrush (a fungal infection which causes white raised patches in your mouth)

Uncommon Side Effects:

• restlessness
• feeling nervous or agitated
• sleep problems
• dizziness
• nausea
• fast heart beat
• muscle cramps
• bruising

Read the Symbicort patient leaflet for a full list of all possible risks and side effects.

Stop using Symbicort if you experience:

• facial swellings
• hives
• difficulty breathing
• feeling faint
• wheezing and shortness of breath immediately after inhalation

If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor to have your treatment reviewed.