Symbicort Turbohaler

Symbicort Turbohaler

Symbicort Turbohaler is a dry-powder inhaler often used to control asthma symptoms.

How does Symbicort Turbohaler work?

One of the medicines in Symbicort Turbohaler is formoterol fumarate dihydrate.

Formoterol fumarate dihydrate is a bronchodilator that relaxes your airway muscles, allowing you to breathe more easily.

Symbicort Turbohaler also contains budesonide which is a corticosteroid.

Budesonide in the Symbicort Turbohaler helps prevent your lung’s blood vessels from swelling and causing inflammation, which can lead to an asthma attack.

Corticosteroids are produced naturally by the body’s adrenal glands.

How do I use Symbicort Turbohaler?

You use the Symbicort Turbohaler by inhaling through its mouthpiece. This allows its medicine to enter and flow through your airways.

You should take your Symbicort Turbohaler exactly as your doctor prescribes. In order to effectively use the Symbicort Turbohaler, you should take two puffs in the morning and two puffs in the evening every day. At this dose, your Turbohaler should last 30 days. Your doctor may make modifications to this dosage frequency later.

Make sure you read and follow the instructions regarding priming and using your Turbohaler before using it for the first time. The instructions will be enclosed in the packaging.

Note that Symbicort will not replace a reliever inhaler if you are experiencing sudden symptoms of an asthma attack.

What should I do if I forget to take Symbicort when I should?

If you forget to take Symbicort when you should, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking Symbicort as you normally would, taking the next dose at the usual time.

Do not double dose if you miss a dose or take more doses than prescribed.

Monitor your doses with the actuation counter, usually located on top of the Turbohaler. Taking more doses than prescribed will not provide additional benefits and may increase your risk of side effects. If you find yourself missing doses, you may want to set an alarm on your phone.

What are the side effects and cautions of Symbicort Turbohaler?

Before you take any medication, you should familiarise yourself with the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

All medicines carry the risk of possible side effects, but not everyone experiences them.

There is always the chance of hypersensitivity to any of the active or inactive ingredients in the Symbicort Turbohaler. Lactose is an inactive ingredient that some are hypersensitive to.

Some common side effects of Symbicort Turbohaler include:

• Throat, nose or sinus infections
• Headache
• Back pain
• Cough, bronchitis or airway infection
• Nausea and vomiting
• Altered sense of taste
• Chest pain
• Pounding or racing heartbeat (Tachycardia)
• Tremors and muscle cramps
• Nasal congestion
• Oral Thrush. (This is less common if you rinse your mouth after use.)
• Pneumonia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.

These serious side effects of Symbicort Turbohaler usually occur only after long term use, such as five or more years. They are:

• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Osteoporosis