Symbicort Turbohaler

What is a Symbicort Turbohaler?

A 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.

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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.

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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.

You can read the patient information leaflet for Symbicort Turbohalers online.

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

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Symbicort Turbohaler can be found in the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

Allergies

Do not use Symbicort if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

• Breathing difficulties
• Dry, red, cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat

How to stay safe while taking Symbicort?

In order to avoid adverse interactions, let your doctor know about any medications, vitamins, supplements, herbs and illegal or recreational drugs you may be taking. For example, thyroid medications can lose effectiveness when taken with Symbicort.

Further information on the full list of known Symbicort side effects, cautions and drug interactions can be found in the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I drink alcohol while using Symbicort?

Avoid or limit alcohol consumption while using Symbicort, since alcohol could exacerbate side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness and vomiting.

Can I use Symbicort if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

Seek advice from your doctor or a pharmacist before using Symbicort if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Will Symbicort affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Symbicort is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. If you experience dizziness, fatigue or drowsiness after taking Symbicort, avoid these activities until you feel it is safe for you to do so.

Will Symbicort cause oral thrush?

You may have an increased risk of oral thrush while taking Symbicort. To reduce this risk, you should rinse your mouth with water after using it.

How long should my Symbicort Turbohaler last?

Symbicort Turbohaler contains 120 doses. If you are taking 2 puffs in the morning and 2 puffs in the evening, a symbicort turbohaler should last 30 days.

There is an indicator on the side of the Symbicort Turbohaler which counts down in intervals of 10. When the background of the counter is red, you should start using a new Symbicort Turbohaler.

Where can I buy Symbicort inhalers online?

You can get a private prescription for Symbicort inhalers online from Prescription Doctor.

We make it straightforward to order asthma inhalers. Simply fill out our online medical form, and we'll do the rest.

Every item we offer is dispatched from a UK pharmacy. If your order is approved before 3pm Mon-Fri, our pharmacy will dispatch your item the same day for next-day delivery.

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Table of contents

What is Symbicort Turbohaler?

How to take Symbicort Turbohaler?

What are the side effects of Symbicort Turbohaler?

Frequently asked questions

Resources:

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/allergy-asthma/a8276/symbicort-budesonide-and-formoterol/

https://www.mysymbicort.com/asthma/about-symbicort/how-to-use-the-inhaler.html