Symbicort for COPD

Also called budesonide and formoterol

Key points about Symbicort for COPD

Symbicort is a combination of 2 medicines, budesonide and formoterol, in a single inhaler.
In COPD, it is used as long-term treatment, to reduce the risk of exacerbations (flare-ups).
Learn more about Symbicort for COPD.

Symbicort is a combination of 2 medicines, budesonide and formoterol, in a single inhaler.

Budesonide is a corticosteroid. When inhaled, it prevents swelling and irritation in the walls of the small air passages in your lungs. It's also called a preventer, when it's used every day it prevents shortness of breath and wheezing.
Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. It keeps your air passages open, making breathing easier.

When is Symbicort used for COPD?

Symbicort is used for people with moderate to severe COPD if their symptoms are not well controlled with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) alone or a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) such as formoterol. Adding an inhaled corticosteroid such as budesonide may be recommended as long-term treatment, to reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Symbicort is a long-term medicine for COPD that includes both formoterol and budesonide which are very effective when used together. It can also be used for people with asthma. Read more about Symbicort for asthma.
Remember to keep using Symbicort even if you feel well. Read more about medicines for COPD.

Note: Symbicort doesn’t give immediate relief from sudden breathing problems such as wheezing, tight chest or shortness of breath. To treat these symptoms, use your ‘reliever’ inhaler such as salbutamol (SalAir or Ventolin) or terbutaline.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Symbicort is a dry powder inhaler that comes in different strengths. Symbicort 200/6 and Symbicort 400/12 are used for COPD.

Always use Symbicort exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions. The following is a guide.

Symbicort 200/6: Use 2 inhalations twice daily; maximum 4 inhalations daily.
Symbicort 400/12: Use 1 inhalation twice daily; maximum 2 inhalations daily.

Symbicort is available as a Turbuhaler. When you breathe in deeply and steadily through the mouthpiece, the device releases the medicine as a fine powder, which is inhaled into your lungs. Read more about how to use your Symbicort Turbuhaler.

To get the most benefit, it's important to use the correct technique. Ask your healthcare provider to show you how to use a Turbuhaler® device. Even if you've been shown before, ask your healthcare provider to explain how to use a Turbuhaler if you still have any questions.

The video below provides some guidance on how to use a Turbuhaler device. The Turbuhaler is the name of the device. There are different Turbuhalers available with different names depending on the medicines inside the device.
Your Turbuhaler may be a different colour to the one in the video below. It's important to know the name and colour of your Turbuhaler, eg, Symbicort®, Pulmicort®, Bricanyl® or Oxis®. Read more about understanding your medicines.

Video: How to use a Turbuhaler device

(Healthify He Puna Waiora & Auckland District Health Board, NZ, 2018)

Here are some things to know when you're using Symbicort. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Rinse your mouth after each use: Symbicort can cause a sore throat and hoarse voice. Rinse your mouth after each use to prevent this.
Cleaning: Wipe the mouthpiece with a clean dry tissue regularly, at least once a week. Don't use water or liquids when cleaning the mouthpiece or
any part of the Symbicort Turbuhaler.
Storage: Keep your Symbicort in a cool, dry place with the cap on. Don't store it in the bathroom or near a sink. The Turbuhaler may clog up if you breathe out through it, dribble into it or keep it in a place where there is high humidity (moisture in the air) with the cap off.
Symbicort has a dose indicator: Your Turbuhaler has a dose indicator window just below the mouthpiece; when you see red in the window it is time to get a new Turbuhaler.
Symbicort Turbuhaler is available in different strengths: Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which strength you're taking. If your inhaler looks different to what you were expecting, ask your pharmacist about this.
Keep track of your symptoms: Your healthcare provider will ask you about the number of exacerbations (flare ups) you have. Make a note of these so you can discuss your treatment with them, and whether you need to try a different inhaler.

Like all medicines, Symbicort can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms you think might be related to your medicine, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if they bother you.

Change in voice (hoarse voice), different taste in your mouth: Rinse your mouth after each use.
Dry mouth or throat, cough.
Feeling shaky, nervousness, have a tremor.
Headache.
Muscle cramps.
Problems sleeping.

Tell your healthcare provider

Signs of oral thrush (a fungal infection in your mouth) such as a very sore tongue, throat or mouth, with white sores on your tongue or in your mouth.