Budesonide/Formoterol

Uses

Precaution

Side Effects

Handling

Uses

What is Budesonide/Formoterol for?

Symbicort is an inhaler used for the regular treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a progressive lung disease that affects the body’s ability to breathe well.

Symbicort contains two ingredients - Budesonide and Formoterol. Budesonide is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the airways. Formoterol opens up the airway, making it easier for air to move in and out of the lung, therefore helping you to breathe more easily.

How should I take or use Budesonide/Formoterol?

Use your Symbicort Rapihaler regularly as directed. Do not stop using the inhaler without checking with your healthcare professional, even if you feel well or there are no symptoms.
Preparing the inhaler before use

Steps	Description
1	Shake the inhaler gently.
2	For a new inhaler, release 3 puffs into the air, if you are using the 40mcg/2.5mcg inhalation 2 puffs into the air, if you are using inhalers of other strengths
3	For inhalers that have not been used for more than a week or have been dropped, release 2 puffs into the air.

Administering the medication

Steps	Description
1	Shake the inhaler before use.
2	Remove the mouthpiece cover.
3	Hold the inhaler upright in front of your mouth. Breathe out as far as you can and put the mouthpiece in your mouth (between your teeth) and close your lips around it.
4	Start to breathe in deeply and slowly through your mouth. Press down firmly on the counter to release the medication at the same time.
5	Remove the inhaler from your mouth. Hold your breath for approximately 10 seconds or for as long as comfortable.
6	Shake the inhaler then repeat Steps 3 to 5 if another puff is required.
7	Put the mouthpiece cover back to the original position to prevent dust and debris from accumulating.
8	Rinse your mouth with water after use.

Cleaning the inhaler

Steps	Description
1	Remove the mouthpiece cover.
2	Wipe the inside and outside of the mouthpiece with a clean, dry cloth.
3	Replace the mouthpiece cover.
4	It is recommended to clean the inhaler at least once a week. Do not put the inhaler in water or dismantle the inhaler.

Reading the counter

The counter helps you to keep track of the number of puffs left in the inhaler.
Discard the inhaler when the counter reaches zero as you have used up the inhalations in the inhaler.
Your inhaler may not feel empty, and it may still operate but you will not get the right amount of medication if you continue to use it.

What should I do if I forget to take or use Budesonide/Formoterol?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

Precaution

What precautions should I take when taking or using Budesonide/Formoterol?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

Side Effects

What are some common side effects of Budesonide/Formoterol?

Common side-effects include:

Mild irritation in the throat, hoarseness
Increase risk of fungal infections in the throat

Rinsing your mouth and spit out the water after using the inhaler to reduce risk of infections

Palpitations, headache, tremor

These side effects may or may not occur, but if they do, they should improve over time. Please approach your healthcare provider if the symptoms are bothersome or do not show improvement after a period of time.

Rare but serious side effects include:

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Handling

How should I store Budesonide/Formoterol?

Keep away from children
Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

How do I throw away Budesonide/Formoterol safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity, and Watsons), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last Updated on December 2022