 Using a budesonide and formoterol fumarate inhaler
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed a combination of budesonide and formoterol to treat your asthma. This medication combines a steroid and a long-acting beta agonist to decrease inflammation in your airways and open your bronchi. The brand name of this medication is Symbicort
How you'll use Symbicort
You'll use the Symbicort inhaler twice each day, in the morning and evening. You'll inhale two puffs at each dose.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take the next dose at the usual time. Don't make up missed doses; never take more than two doses in any day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: headache, nasal congestion, nose and throat irritation, upper respiratory tract infection.
Less common: flulike symptoms, back pain, palpitations, nausea, vomiting.
What you must know about other medications
This medication may be less effective if it's combined with certain other medications. Tell all of your health care providers that you're taking this medication. Don't use Symbicort with any other form of formoterol or other long acting beta agonists. Use Symbicort cautiously with ketoconazole and diuretics.
Special directions
- Don't use this inhaler for an acute asthma attack.
- If you're using other medications to control your asthma, consult your health care provider before beginning therapy to determine which medications should be continued.
- Don't take more than the prescribed dose of the medication.
- Use of long-acting beta agonists may increase your risk of asthma-related death; use only the prescribed dosage. Notify your health care provider if any of your symptoms get worse.
- Prime the inhaler before using for the first time by releasing two test sprays into the air.
- Shake well for 5 seconds before each dose.
- Replace the mouthpiece cover after each use.
- Rinse your mouth after each dose to remove any extra medication and to reduce your risk of a thrush infection in the mouth.
- Clean the inhaler at least every 7 days by wiping the mouthpiece with a dry cloth.
Keep in mind
- It isn't known how this medication would affect an unborn baby. If you're pregnant or wish to become pregnant, consult your health care provider.
- It isn't known how this medication could affect a breast-fed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, you should use another method of feeding the baby while you're taking this medication.
- Report decreased effectiveness of treatment, palpitations, marked changes in symptoms.
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