Symbicort inhalers: effective asthma relief

Symbicort is a treatment for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Our experts at Treated can help you choose the right asthma and COPD treatment. Talk to our clinicians to get recommendations. Order Symbicort online with us and we’ll check in with you regularly to see how the treatment is going.
Symbicort is an asthma and COPD treatment. It’s available as a Turbohaler or Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI). A Turbohaler automatically administers the chemical when inhaled. An MDI requires the user to press a button to release the chemical.
Symbicort is a combination inhaler that combines a preventer ingredient (a type of steroid called budesonide) and a reliever ingredient (formoterol fumarate).
You’ll take it regularly to reduce your risk of asthma attacks, but you can also take additional doses when you get asthma symptoms. So it can be a good option for people who take both preventer and reliever treatment but as separate inhalers.
Asthma is a condition where your airways become inflamed. They narrow and swell, and may produce extra mucus. This makes it difficult to breathe and may trigger coughing and shortness of breath.
Lung diseases that block the airflow and make it difficult to breathe can cause COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Shortness of breath, wheezing and chronic cough are COPD symptoms.
Budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate are the active ingredients in Symbicort. Budesonide is a steroid which reduces inflammation in the airways leading to reduced symptoms and fewer asthma attacks.
Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator which relaxes the airway muscles and relieves ‘bronchoconstriction’, widening the passage for air in and out of the lungs.
Symbicort Turbohaler is available in three doses: 100/6, 200/6 and 400/12. Symbicort MDI is available in two doses: 100/3 and 200/6.
The big number refers to the dose of budesonide in micrograms, and the little number to the dose of formoterol fumarate in micrograms.
The difference in these doses is the amount of medicine delivered in one inhalation and the resulting relief provided. The dose you use, and how many times a day you administer it, depends on your overall asthma control and symptoms. A typical dose is 1 or 2 inhalations per day, but sometimes a prescriber might increase this to 4.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
You should use Symbicort exactly as advised by our clinician. Use it every day. Always keep your Symbicort Turbohaler or MDI with you, so you can use it when needed.
You may be prescribed Symbicort as your only inhaler or along with a separate reliever inhaler. If you are on a separate reliever inhaler, use that when the asthma symptoms happen. Otherwise, you should use Symbicort only.
If you’re using the Symbicort Turbohaler for asthma, you can either take one inhalation in the morning and one inhalation in the evening, two inhalations in the morning, or two inhalations in the evening.
You can also use it as a reliever inhaler to treat asthma symptoms when they happen.
You shouldn’t regularly take more than eight inhalations in a day and never more than 12 inhalations in 24 hours. If you regularly need to take eight or more inhalations in a day, you should get in touch with our clinician.
If you’re using the Symbicort Turbohaler for COPD, you might be advised to take two inhalations twice a day.
If you’re using the Symbicort MDI for asthma, you might be advised to take two puffs in the morning and two puffs in the evening, or four puffs in the morning, or four puffs in the evening.
You can also use it as a reliever inhaler to treat asthma symptoms when they happen.
You shouldn’t take more than 16 puffs in a day, and no more than 24 puffs in 24 hours. If you regularly need to take 16 or more puffs in a day, you should speak to our clinician.
To get your Turbohaler ready for first time use:
To use your Turbohaler:
Don’t try to twist or remove the mouthpiece, and you shouldn’t use the Turbohaler if it’s damaged or the mouthpiece comes apart.
Make sure you clean your inhaler once a week. You can do this with a dry tissue. Don’t use any liquids to clean your inhaler.
Your Turbohaler comes with an indicator which tells you how many inhalations are left. When it’s full it may be marked to 30, 60 or 120. The dose indicators have intervals of 10 for the 60 and 120 inhalers and 15 for the 30 inhalers. If you accidentally load the Turbohaler more than once before a dose, you will receive only one inhalation, but the indicator will show loaded doses.
Your asthma symptoms should start improving within 1-3 minutes of inhalation. It may take up to two weeks of regular usage to feel the full benefits of Symbicort.
When you buy Symbicort with us, our team will be in touch with you regularly. If you feel you aren’t getting the best out of your dose or treatment, our clinicians can review it for you.
If you forget a dose of Symbicort at the right time, don’t worry. Take it when you remember, as long as it is not close to your next dose. If there’s only a small window before your next dose is due, skip the dose and continue as normal.
You should never double your dose to make up for one you missed. If you feel you have taken too much and feel unwell, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Always use the treatment as advised by our clinician.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How long does it take for Symbicort to work? [online] Available at:[Accessed 29 Sep. 2021].
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Asthma: Here are some other options.
Fast-acting reliever inhaler used to treat asthma symptoms when they develop.
Bronchodilator reliever inhaler used to act quickly on asthma symptoms and other lung conditions.
Widely used asthma reliever medication. Provides instant relief from asthma symptoms.
Flixotide inhalers are usually orange and contain a steroid to help prevent asthma symptoms.
One a day preventative asthma tablets. Generic version of Singulair.
Contains the corticosteroid budesonide to help prevent asthma symptoms. Uses a no-push mechanism.
Long acting bronchodilator for asthma. It opens up the airways and tackles inflammation.
Branded treatment for quick asthma relief that lasts for 12 hours or more.
Quickly relieves asthma symptoms by relaxing your airways to help you breathe more easily.
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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