Symbicort

Symbicort is a prescription inhaler that combines budesonide (a steroid) and formoterol (a long-acting bronchodilator). Doctors prescribe it for asthma and COPD to reduce inflammation and relax airways. You use it daily to prevent symptoms and, in many cases, as a quick-relief option when your healthcare provider approves.

Why choose Symbicort? It treats both the swelling inside your lungs and the tightness that makes breathing hard. That means fewer flare-ups and fewer rescue inhaler trips for many people. It’s not a cure, but it can make daily life easier when you use it correctly.

How to Use Symbicort the Right Way

Shake the inhaler, breathe out fully, put the mouthpiece in your mouth, press down and breathe in deeply. Hold your breath for ten seconds if you can, then breathe out slowly. Rinse your mouth after using Symbicort to lower the risk of yeast infections in the mouth. Follow the exact dose your doctor gave you — don’t guess.

Some providers allow using Symbicort both for maintenance and for quick relief. That depends on your medical plan and how your symptoms behave. If your doctor tells you to use it as a rescue, carry it with you and follow specific limits on how many puffs per day.

Side Effects, Risks, and When to Call Your Doctor

Common side effects include throat irritation, headache, tremor, and hoarseness. Because it contains a steroid, long-term use can affect bone density and increase infection risk; your doctor will weigh those risks against the benefits. Watch for warning signs like severe wheezing, rash, fast heartbeat, or vision changes — call your provider or go to the ER if those happen.

If symptoms get worse quickly or you need your rescue inhaler more often than usual, reach out to your doctor. Don’t stop Symbicort suddenly without medical advice; stopping can cause more breathing problems. Also mention any other medicines you take — some heart drugs and antifungals can interact with formoterol.

Practical tips: keep spare inhalers, store them at room temperature, check the dose counter, and track how many puffs you use. If you have trouble with inhaler technique, ask a nurse or pharmacist to watch you use it — a small change can make a big difference.

Want to know more? Bring a list of questions to your next appointment: how many puffs daily, whether to use it as rescue, how long you’ll stay on it, and what monitoring tests you need. Symbicort helps a lot of people breathe easier, but only when used the right way.

Your doctor may check your growth if you use Symbicort as a child, and might order bone density scans or eye exams for long-term adult users. Keep an up-to-date medication list and report any infections or unexplained bruising. When you travel, pack a letter from your prescriber and keep the inhaler in carry-on luggage. If cost is an issue, ask about generics, patient assistance programs, or pharmacy discount plans. Also check expiry dates and do not share inhalers with others.