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Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate)

Symbicort is a preventer and reliever inhaler used to treat the symptoms of asthma. Symbicort contains the active ingredients: Budesonide and formoterol fumarate. Budesonide is a corticosteroid and formoterol is a short-acting beta 2 agonist.

Symbicort

How it works

Corticosteroids are hormones which exist naturally in the body. They regulate inflammatory responses including those affecting the airways. Taking budesonide using an inhaler helps to decrease inflammation in the lung area.

Formoterol fumarate acts on the beta2-adrenergic receptor which is responsible for regulating muscle contraction/relaxation. Taking formoterol fumarate has the effect of relaxing the muscles in the airways resulting in dilation of bronchial passages.

Taking Symbicort

How you take Symbicort will depend on whether your doctor has prescribed it as a preventer or a reliever inhaler (or indeed as both). Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to use this medication and do not exceed the recommend amount.

Further information

Symbicort can be used preventatively by asthma sufferers before exercising.

Should you find yourself using Symbicort more frequently, or if you feel the medication has become less effective, you should talk to your GP about your asthma management programme.

Manufacturer: AstraZeneca