Symbicort Turbuhaler (Budesonide/Formoterol)

What is Symbicort Turbuhaler?

Symbicort Turbuhaler is a brand-name combination of oral inhalation medication. It is a prescription medicine FDA-cleared to control and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. The inhaler has two active ingredients: Budesonide and Formoterol fumarate dihydrate in micronized forms.

What are the uses of Symbicort Turbuhaler?

Symbicort Turbuhaler is indicated for these two medical conditions Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Adolescent and adult asthma patients use Symbicort Turbuhaler to relieve inflammation, control asthma, and prevent asthma attacks. Its active component Budesonide helps reduce lung inflammation, thus improving asthma conditions and preventing future asthma attacks. While the other component, Formoterol fumarate dihydrate, works to relax muscles in the airways, open them up, and allow improved breathing.

Symbicort Turbuhaler helps control COPD symptoms by relieving persistent airway inflammation and widening them for easier breathing.

How does Symbicort Turbuhaler work?

Budesonide falls under the group of medications called ‘corticosteroids’. It exerts its action by lowering and preventing inflammation in your lungs, while Formoterol is a ‘long-acting beta2 adrenoceptor agonist’ in other words, a ‘bronchodilator’. It acts by relaxing the muscles in your airways. And this aids you to inhale air more easily.

How to use Symbicort Turbuhaler?

It is a prescription drug and must only be used after talking to a doctor. Prior to initiating treatment with Symbicort, the risk of hypersensitive reactions as well as negative side effects are required to be discussed with the concerned doctor. Patients should inhale the active medicament by means of a specially formulated device. It must be administered one time every day as part of an ongoing maintenance regime. The medicine is not for treating the onset of acute breathing problems.

What are the side effects of Symbicort Turbuhaler?

The most common side effects of this combination may include:

• Palpitations

• Shaking or trembling

• Headache

• Thrush (a fungal infection) in the mouth

• Sore throat as well as cough

If any of these effects occur, they are generally mild and usually fade away as you carry on using Symbicort Inhaler. Also, stop the use if you experience: hives, faint feelings, or breathing problems.

What are the Safety/Warnings for Symbicort Turbuhaler?

Symbicort Turbuhaler is not a cure for asthma and COPD. It is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used for this purpose. It is not effective in treating an asthma or bronchospasm attack. The medicine is unsafe for patients having heart disease/hypertension, liver disease, tuberculosis, thyroid disorder, a drug allergy, a weak immune system, osteoporosis, glaucoma, seizures, or an electrolyte imbalance. Small children or anyone aged under 12-18 years, breastfeeding patients, and pregnant patients may also be warned about Symbicort Turbuhaler.

Symbicort Turbuhaler will cause unwanted effects if other medicines that could interact with its components are taken without a doctor’s prescription. While taking this medicine, be careful in performing any activities that require an alert mind.

Storage:

What to do if you miss a dose of Symbicort Turbuhaler?

If, for any reason, you miss out on taking a dose of Symbicort Turbuhaler, take it as soon as possible. On the other hand, if it is roughly the time for your next dose, you can miss out on the dose that you forgot to take. Never take two doses to compensate for a missed one.

Which drugs are known to interact with Symbicort Turbuhaler?

Inform your doctor if you plan on using this medication while taking any of the following drugs:

• Other bronchodilators (including salbutamol).

• Medicines for an uneven heartbeat.

• Medicines used to treat heart failure.

• Medications for Parkinson’s disease.

• Beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure).

• Medicines used for the treatment of HIV.

• Steroid tablets (also used for asthma treatment).

• Medications for thyroid problems.

• Diuretics (also known as water tablets) are used to treat high blood pressure.

• Xanthine medicines (such as theophylline or aminophylline).

• Mono-Amine Oxidase Inhibitors (also known as MAOIs); tricyclic anti-depressants.

• Phenothiazine medicines.

• Certain medications are used to treat infections (for example, itraconazole, and ketoconazole).

• What are the precautionary measures to be undertaken while using Symbicort Turbuhaler?

• You must not use this inhaler if you are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients, such as budesonide, formoterol, or lactose.

• Also inform your doctor or healthcare professional if you have problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands.

• If you suffer from high blood pressure or a heart problem; then this drug is not safe for you.

• Avoid the use of Symbicort inhaler if you are diabetic.

• If you have a lung infection, then avoid the use of this combination inhaler.

• Budesonide/Formoterol must also not be used if you have severe liver problems.

• Patients with low levels of potassium in their blood must also refrain from the use of this inhaler.

Is It Safe To Buy Symbicort Turbuhaler From An Online Pharmacy?

If you are looking to buy Symbicort Inhaler or any prescription drugs from in USA then you can order from a safe and accredited International pharmacy like MedsEngage, which contracts with Canadian Pharmacy and pharmacy in India. For Pennsylvanians managing asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), to buy Symbicort Turbuhaler online in Pennsylvania from MedsEngage offers a simple and efficient solution. You require a valid prescription for your prescription drugs.

FAQs:

Does Symbicort Turbuhaler cause weight gain?

The risk of weight gain may be higher if the medication is used at high doses or over an extended period. Patients need to monitor their weight and discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider, who can provide guidance on managing side effects and, if necessary, adjust the treatment plan.

Do you shake Symbicort Turbuhaler?

Yes, we do have to shake the Symbicort inhaler well for five seconds before releasing a test spray called priming if it's your first time using it or if you haven't used it in more than seven days. Give it another five seconds of shaking to release a second test spray.

Does Symbicort raise blood pressure?

Formoterol, the long-acting beta-agonist component of Symbicort, can cause cardiovascular side effects such as increased heart rate, palpitations, and, in some cases, increased blood pressure. These effects are typically mild but can be more pronounced in some individuals, especially at higher doses or with prolonged use. Budesonide, the corticosteroid component, is less likely to cause systemic side effects, including hypertension, compared to oral corticosteroids because it acts locally in the lungs.

Is Budesonide the same as Symbicort?

No, Budesonide is not the same as Symbicort, although budesonide is one of the key components of Symbicort. Budesonide is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the airways and is used to treat conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symbicort, on the other hand, is a combination inhaler that includes both budesonide and Formoterol. The latter is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) that helps relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe.

Is Budesonide/Formoterol the same as Symbicort?

Yes, Budesonide/Formoterol is the same as Symbicort. Symbicort is the brand name for the combination medication that includes the active ingredients Budesonide and Formoterol. Together, these medications are used to manage and treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symbicort combines these two active ingredients into a single inhaler, providing the benefits of both medications in one treatment.

References:

• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/symbicort#side-effects
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/symbicort#uses
• https://www.symbicorttouchpoints.com/content/dam/physician-services/us/526-rwd-symbicort-hcp/pdf/03_using_the_symbicort_inhaler.pdf