Symbicort (trade)
From: Wikipedia
Budesonide/formoterol is a combination formulation containing budesonide and formoterol used in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients delivered via a single inhaler:
- budesonide, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid which acts by reducing and preventing respiratory tract inflammation
- formoterol, a rapid-acting and long-lasting β2-agonist which acts by causing bronchodilation
Budesonide/formoterol is the first combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta agonist (ICS/LABA) that has shown some efficacy as a medicine not only used to prevent asthma attacks, but also provide quick relief of an asthma attack.
In patients with asthma, budesonide/formoterol formulation for both maintenance and as-needed treatment reduces exacerbations better than as-needed formoterol or as-needed terbutaline. Nevertheless, it is unclear as to whether this strategy is better than increasing a maintenance dose of Symbicort or similar combined inhaler.
The use for quick relief has been approved by the GINA guidelines 2006 (Evidence A), however Symbicort is indicated in the United States only as a maintenance medication. In March 2009, the FDA approved the use of Symbicort pMDI to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD).
Side Effects
Common side-effects
- Mild throat irritation
- Coughing
- Hoarseness
- Aphthae
- Headache
- Trembling
- Heartbeat acceleration
- Insomnia
- Oral candidiasis
Uncommon side-effects
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Muscular cramps
- Agitation
Rare side-effects
- Rash
- Itchiness
- Respiratory spasms
- Palpitation
- Bruises
- Dizziness
Very rare side-effects
- High blood sugar level
- Face bloatedness
- Chest pain
- Steroid psychosis