SYMBICORT for Asthma

Let's Talk About SYMBICORT

About SYMBICORT and Asthma Medicine

SYMBICORT is an asthma medicine that contains 2 medicines to reduce the inflammation in your lungs and keep your airways open.

Within 15 minutes, SYMBICORT starts to improve your lung function and treat your asthma symptoms—helping you to take control of your asthma.
Individual results may vary.

When you control your asthma symptoms with SYMBICORT, you may notice:

  • You have no asthma symptoms or very few asthma symptoms throughout the day and night
  • You shouldn't have to limit your activities because of asthma symptoms
  • You should use less rescue medicine

SYMBICORT may be right for you if:

  • You are 12 years of age or older
  • Your doctor decides your asthma is not well-controlled with a long-term asthma control medicine
  • Your doctor decides your asthma is severe enough to begin treatment with SYMBICORT

Of course, only your doctor can decide if SYMBICORT is right for you.

It's important to remember that as an asthma medicine, SYMBICORT is not—and will not replace—a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. If you are taking SYMBICORT, be sure to see your health care provider if your asthma does not improve or gets worse and tell your doctor if SYMBICORT is working for you.

When SYMBICORT is taken as prescribed—2 puffs twice a day (morning and evening) every day—you can expect continued asthma control. You should continue taking your medication as directed by your doctor to maintain control of your asthma symptoms. Individual results may vary.

Patients who use SYMBICORT should read the SYMBICORT Medication GuidePDF(PDF) with each new prescription and refill.

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Next: Preparing SYMBICORT for Use

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care provider about how to manage and treat your asthma. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about SYMBICORT or asthma, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your doctor can decide if SYMBICORT is right for you.

Approved Uses for SYMBICORT for Asthma

SYMBICORT is a medicine for the treatment of asthma for people 12 years and older whose doctor has determined that their asthma is not well controlled with a long term asthma control medicine such as an inhaled corticosteroid or whose asthma is severe enough to begin treatment with SYMBICORT. SYMBICORT is not a treatment for sudden asthma symptoms.

Important Safety Information About SYMBICORT for Asthma

SYMBICORT contains formoterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA). LABA medicines such as formoterol increase the risk of death from asthma problems. It is not known whether budesonide, the other medicine in SYMBICORT, reduces the risk of death from asthma problems seen with formoterol.

SYMBICORT should be used only if your healthcare provider decides that your asthma is not well controlled with a long term asthma control medicine, such as an inhaled corticosteroid, or that your asthma is severe enough to begin treatment with SYMBICORT.

If you are taking SYMBICORT, see your healthcare provider if your asthma does not improve or gets worse. It is important that your healthcare provider assess your asthma control on a regular basis. Your doctor will decide if it is possible for you to stop taking SYMBICORT and start taking a long-term asthma control medicine without loss of asthma control.

SYMBICORT does not replace rescue inhalers for sudden asthma symptoms.

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all your health conditions, including heart conditions or high blood pressure, and all medicines you may be taking. Some patients taking SYMBICORT may experience increased blood pressure, heart rate, or change in heart rhythm.

Do not use SYMBICORT more often than prescribed. While taking SYMBICORT, never use another medicine containing a LABA for any reason. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if any of your other medicines are LABA medicines, as using too much LABA may cause chest pain, increase in blood pressure, fast and irregular heartbeat, headache, tremor, and nervousness.

Patients taking SYMBICORT

  • may experience serious allergic reactions including rash, hives, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, and breathing problems.
  • may have a higher chance of infection. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you think you are exposed to infections such as chicken pox or measles, or if you have any signs of infection.
  • may experience an increase in wheezing right after taking SYMBICORT, eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts, decreases in bone mineral density, swelling of blood vessels, decrease in blood potassium and increase in blood sugar levels.

If you are switching to SYMBICORT from an oral corticosteroid, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions to avoid serious health risks when you stop using oral corticosteroids.

Children and adolescents who take LABA medicines may have an increased risk of being hospitalized for asthma problems.

Common side effects include nose and throat irritation, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, sinusitis, stomach discomfort, flu, back pain, nasal congestion, vomiting, and thrush in the mouth and throat.

Talk to your doctor about prescription SYMBICORT.

Please read full Prescribing Information and Medication GuidePDF
(PDF - 437 KB)

Read Important Product Information for PatientsPDF(PDF - 101 KB)

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

This product information is intended for US customers only.

SYMBICORT is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.