A combined drug with a broncholytic and anti-inflammatory effect, containing a glucocorticoid and a selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, is Symbicort. Instructions for use inform that the inhaler 60 or 120 doses help with asthma, COPD, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults, children, and pregnancy. The article deals with the cases when Symbicort is prescribed, prices, reviews of patients, and doctors. We will also discuss the analogs of the drug.

Composition and form of release

The medicinal form of Symbicort is a dosed powder for inhalation, which is mainly granules of round shape of white or almost white color (80/4, 5 and 160/4,5 micrograms – 60 or 120 doses in plastic inhalers, there is 1 inhaler in a cardboard pack; 320/9 micrograms - 60 doses in plastic inhalers, there is 1 inhaler in a cardboard pack).

Active ingredients of the drug (in 1 dose):

• Micronized budesonide-80, 160 or 320 micrograms;

• Formoterol fumarate dihydrate-4.5 or 9 mcg.

The auxiliary component is lactose monohydrate.

When does Symbicort help?

Indications for use are:

• bronchial asthma (insufficiently controlled by the use of short-acting beta2-adrenomimetics and inhaled corticosteroids);

• COPD (symptomatic treatment in patients with severe COPD and recurrent exacerbations in the presence of pronounced signs of pathology, despite taking long-term bronchodilators).

The drug of 80/4, 5 mcg and 160/4, 5 mcg can be prescribed both for relieving attacks and as maintenance therapy.

Important! Only the doctor should make a decision about the need for course pharmacotherapy. Self-medication is absolutely unacceptable.

Instruction for use

Symbicort does not serve for the initial treatment of mild asthma.

The dose is selected individually, taking into account the severity of the disease.

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• The recommended dose for adults is two inhalations twice a day.

• Bronchial asthma.

Patients taking the drug should be regularly examined by the doctor who prescribed the drug so that the dosage remains optimal.

Recommended dose
Adults (over 18 years of age) can produce up to two inhalations twice a day. Some patients may need up to four inhalations twice a day. Children (12-17 years old) should also use up to two inhalations twice a day.

How to use Symbicort?

If you need to get a single dose, you must perform the following steps sequentially:

• Unscrew and remove the cap;

• Measure the dose, turn the dispenser first in one direction until it stops, then in the opposite direction (you will hear a click);

• Exhale;

• Carefully place the mouthpiece between your teeth, press your lips together, and inhale strongly and deeply through your mouth. Do not clench the mouthpiece with your teeth or chew it!

• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and then exhale;

• Repeat steps 2-5 for more than 1 inhalation;

• Close the turbocharger with a cap;

• Rinse mouth with water without swallowing.

A decrease in the concentration of such mediators in the focus of the inflammatory reaction leads to a decrease in the severity of its manifestations, such as hyperemia, tissue edema, pain, and spasm (pronounced increase in the tone of smooth muscles) of the bronchi.

Drug contraindications

It is not permitted for all patients to make a typical drug, there are medical restrictions, as detailed in the instructions for use. If you break the rules, there is no positive dynamics at all, but the general state of health can only be worsened. In this case, we are talking about such medical contraindications:

• individual intolerance to formoterol, budesonide, or inhaled lactose;

• age restrictions for up to 12 years.

Symbicort is prescribed with caution for tuberculosis of the lungs, viral infections of the respiratory system, hypertension, diabetes, aneurysm, or severe cardiovascular diseases. Intensive therapy should be carried out under strict medical supervision, otherwise, the risk of the underlying disease is not excluded.

Side effects

In the background of the use of Symbicort, side effects may occur:

• hypokalemia;

• heartbeat;

• cough;

• itch;

• nausea;

• atrial fibrillation;

• dizziness;

• hoarseness of voice;

• urticaria;

• slight irritation in the throat;

• muscle cramps;

• extrasystole hyperglycemia;

• psychomotor agitation;

• AD fluctuations;

• anaphylactic reaction;

• supraventricular tachycardia;

• angioedema;

• angina;

• sleep disturbance;

• dermatitises;

• tremor candidiasis of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa;

• depression;

• bruises;

• headache;

• exanthema;

• bronchospasm;

• anxiety;

• behavioral;

• tachycardia;

• violation of taste.

Systemic effects of inhaled corticosteroids can be observed when taking the drug in high doses for a long time.

Special conditions

Symbicort does not affect psychomotor reactions, it is not necessary to refuse to drive a personal vehicle, control power mechanisms (due to the duty of work) during intensive therapy.

After inhalation of Symbicort powder, the active components settle on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, then they are absorbed into the systemic bloodstream and evenly distributed in the tissues. The active components are metabolized in the liver, and the inactive decomposition products are excreted from the body, mainly in the urine.