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

Asthma Treatments: Rescue vs Control Medicines

There are 2 primary types of asthma treatments—asthma rescue medicines and asthma control medicines.

Asthma Rescue Treatments vs Asthma Control Treatments

Types of Asthma Treatment What They Do What They Don't Do
Rescue (quick relief) Example: Albuterol Treat airway constriction, providing immediate relief of sudden symptoms Provide asthma control
Control medicines (preventive) Prevent asthma symptoms by controlling airway inflammation and/or constriction Treat sudden asthma attacks
  • Asthma rescue medicines are used for sudden asthma symptoms and are not meant to be used daily
  • Asthma control medicines are for asthma control and are meant to be used every day

When used as prescribed, asthma control medicines help prevent asthma symptoms on an ongoing basis. Some asthma medicines, such as SYMBICORT, work by helping to prevent the underlying inflammation and constriction that cause asthma symptoms to worsen. Within 15 minutes, SYMBICORT starts to improve lung function and begins to help treat symptoms.

It's important to remember that asthma control medicines should not be used to treat sudden asthma symptoms. Asthma treatment, such as an asthma rescue inhaler, should be used as directed to treat sudden asthma symptoms.

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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.

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