Product Details: Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol)

PLEASE NOTE BRAND SYMBICORT IS ALSO MARKETED INTERNATIONALLY UNDER THE NAME VANNAIR.
International versions of this inhaler may have label strengths of 100/6mcg(corresponds to 80/4.5mcg) and 200mcg/6mcg(corresponds to 160/4.5mcg). These products supply the same amount of active ingredient as the corresponding brand product, the difference is due to alternate ways of measuring the strength.

Brand Name Options - Manufacturer: AstraZeneca

Generic Options - Manufacturer: Generic

What are Generics? A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, how it is taken, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name and works the same way in the body in the same amount of time.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is the generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (e.g. different shape or color), as trademark laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to invent a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name drug and sell it at substantial discounts.

Description

This medicine is a combination of a synthetic corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator used for long-term maintenance treatment of asthma. It may be used to prevent breathing problems in certain patients. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Be sure to keep your reliever medicine with you at all times to treat any breathing problems (such as sudden, severe wheezing or shortness of breath) that may occur between doses of this medicine. If you have questions about how to treat an asthma attack, check with your doctor or pharmacist. BEFORE USING YOUR INHALER FOR THE FIRST TIME, you will need to prime it. To prime the inhaler, shake it for 5 seconds, then release a test spray into the air away from your face. Shake well again for 5 seconds and release a second test spray into the air. Write the date that you open the foil pouch on the dose tracker card that comes with the medicine. Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds. Remove the mouthpiece cover. Check the mouthpiece for foreign objects. Breathe out fully. Place the mouthpiece between your teeth and rest your tongue flat. Be sure that the inhaler is upright. Close your lips around the mouthpiece. While breathing in the medicine deeply and slowly, press down firmly on the top of the inhaler to release the medicine. Continue to breathe in and hold your breath for as long as comfortable. Before breathing out, release your finger from the top. Remove the inhaler from your mouth. Exhale slowly and completely through pursed lips or through the nose. DO NOT breathe out through the mouthpiece. If you are using more than 1 inhalation, wait a few minutes and repeat the above process. Close the mouthpiece cover after each use. RINSE YOUR MOUTH WITH WATER after you finish using the medicine (do not swallow). This will help remove excess medicine and decrease your risk of developing an oral fungal infection. If the inhaler is not used for more than 7 days or it is dropped, it will need to be reprimed again before you use it. Use a dry cloth to wipe the mouthpiece clean at least once a week. DISCARD THIS MEDICINE when the labeled number of inhalations have been used or within 3 months of commencing use. The container may not feel empty. Never wash the mouthpiece or any other part of the inhaler. Always keep it dry and store it in a dry place. Do NOT try to take the inhaler apart. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Use this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel better. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.

Cautions

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to formoterol, budesonide, or any ingredient in this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY SOMETIMES CAUSE SUDDEN BREATHING PROBLEMS RIGHT AFTER YOU USE A DOSE. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or use this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AT ONCE if this medicine does not work as well, if you feel the need to use it more often than prescribed, or if you have a decrease in your peak flow meter results. SEEK MEDICAL CARE RIGHT AWAY if you have breathing problems that worsen quickly or if you use your reliever medicine and it does not work. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including lung function, blood pressure, and eye exams may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. USE CAUTION IF YOU SWITCH FROM AN ORAL STEROID (such as prednisone) to this medicine. It may take several months for your body to make enough natural steroids to handle events that cause physical stress. Such events may include injury, surgery, infection, loss of blood electrolytes, or a sudden asthma attack. These may be severe and sometimes fatal. Contact your doctor right away if any of these events occur. You may need to take an oral steroid again. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR ABILITY to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD CHICKENPOX, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does. Tell your doctor right away if you are exposed to anyone who has these infections. DO NOT RECEIVE A LIVE VACCINE (eg, measles or mumps) while you are using this medicine. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine. DO NOT START, STOP, OR CHANGE THE DOSE OF ANY ASTHMA MEDICINE UNLESS YOUR DOCTOR TELLS YOU TO. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CORTICOSTEROID MEDICINES MAY AFFECT growth rate in children and adolescents in some cases; their growth may need to be checked regularly. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using this medicine include dizziness; dry mouth; headache; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain or upset; stuffy nose; throat irritation; tiredness; tremor; trouble sleeping; vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience fever, chills, or persistent sore throat. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience back pain; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; new or worsening asthma symptoms (such as increased chest tightness, coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing); severe or persistent headache, dizziness, tremor, or nervousness; severe or persistent muscle pain or cramps; trouble speaking; vision changes; white patches in your mouth or throat. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Active Ingredients

Budesonide/Formoterol