SYMBICORT for Asthma
For patients 12 years and older whose asthma is not well controlled on a long-term asthma medicine or whose
disease severity warrants
Important Information
About SYMBICORT

Let's Talk About SYMBICORT

About SYMBICORT and Asthma Medicine

SYMBICORT is a medicine that helps control asthma, which contains 2 medicines to reduce the inflammation in the lungs and keep airways open.

When used as prescribed, SYMBICORT has been shown to help significantly improve lung function, starting within 15 minutes.* Remember, SYMBICORT will not replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms.

*Your results may vary.

Reasons to ask your doctor about SYMBICORT

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, when SYMBICORT is taken twice daily†
  • You use less rescue medicine†

†Your results may vary.

Ask your doctor about SYMBICORT today.

SYMBICORT may be right for you if you are 12 years of age or older and

  • Your doctor decides your asthma is not well controlled with a long-term asthma control medicine; or
  • 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.

Talking to your doctor

Maintaining an open dialogue with your doctor about your asthma treatment plan is important. Here are a few tips on how to get the conversation started:

  • Describe your symptoms, when they most often occur, and their severity
  • List all medicines you are taking and any side effects you may experience
  • Ask if SYMBICORT may be right for you
  • Ask questions if you do not understand something your doctor tells you
If you are afraid you may forget something, write it down before your appointment.

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 doctor if your asthma does not improve or gets worse.

Already taking SYMBICORT?
Be sure to let your doctor know how you are doing.

When SYMBICORT is taken as prescribed—2 puffs twice a day (morning and evening) every day—you may experience fewer asthma symptoms throughout the day and night.‡ You should continue taking as directed by your doctor to maintain control of your asthma symptoms.

‡Your results may vary.

It is important that your doctor 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.

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

If your doctor thinks SYMBICORT is right for you, you may be able to start SYMBICORT with a free prescription offer.§
Request your free prescription offer§ today.

§Subject to eligibility rules; restrictions apply.

Next: Your SYMBICORT Inhaler

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 health care 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 health care provider if your asthma does not improve or gets worse. It is important that your health care 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.

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

SYMBICORT does not replace rescue inhalers for sudden asthma symptoms.

Be sure to tell your health care 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 health care 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 should call their health care provider or get emergency medical care:

  • if you experience serious allergic reactions including rash, hives, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, and breathing problems.
  • if you think you are exposed to infections such as chicken pox or measles, or if you have any signs of infection. You may have a higher chance of infection.
  • if you experience an increase in wheezing right after taking SYMBICORT, eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts, decreases in bone mineral density, swelling of blood vessels (signs include a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of arms or legs, flu like symptoms, rash, pain and swelling of the sinuses), decrease in blood potassium and increase in blood sugar levels.

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

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.

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.

Talk to your doctor about prescription SYMBICORT.

Please read Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING, with Medication Guide and discuss with your doctor.Adobe PDF (PDF — 551 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.

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.

United States Flag This product information is intended for US customers only.

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