Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler

Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler is used to treat asthma symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes).

Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler is a combination of two drugs: Budesonide (corticosteroid) and Formoterol (LABA - long-acting beta-agonists or bronchodilator). Budesonide belongs to the corticosteroids class that works by reducing the irritation and swelling by acting inside the nasal passage and airways lining cells and stopping the release of certain chemicals responsible for causing inflammatory reactions and allergies. Thereby, it provides relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort. On the other hand, Formoterol belongs to LABA - long-acting beta-agonists or bronchodilators that relax and widen respiratory airway muscles, making it easier for asthma and COPD patients to breathe. 

Use Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend how often you use Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler based on your medical condition. Some people may experience fungal infection in the mouth, headache, sore throat, hoarse voice, upper respiratory tract infection, flu, cough, back pain, increased heart rate, and trembling. Most of these side effects of Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

If you are allergic to lactose (a form of sugar) or have lactose intolerance, Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler or any other ingredients, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler. Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning or last longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately. These might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), fits, immune system problems, chickenpox, measles, thyroid, lung, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler. Prolonged use of LABA (long-acting beta-agonists) or vasodilator drugs may cause symptoms like chest pain (angina), increased blood pressure (hypertension), a fast and irregular heart rate (palpitation), headache, tremors, and nervousness.

Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler is a combination of two drugs, Budesonide and Formoterol, that are used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Budesonide belongs to the class of corticosteroids that work by reducing irritation and swelling by acting inside cells of the nasal lining and stopping the release of certain chemicals in the body that cause inflammatory reactions. Thus, it provides relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort. Formoterol belongs to the class of bronchodilators that works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Thus, it makes breathing easier.

• Fungal infection in the mouth

• Headache

• Sore throat, hoarse voice

• Upper respiratory tract infection

• Flu, cough

• Back pain

• Increased heart rate

• Shaking or trembling

If you are allergic to lactose, Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler or any other ingredients, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler. Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler is not recommended for children below 6 years of age. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning or lasts longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. Avoid contact with people who have infections or who are sick as Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler may weaken the immune system causing infections easily. If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), fits, immune system problems, chickenpox, measles, thyroid, lung, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler.

Drug-Drug Interaction: Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler may interact with bronchodilators (albuterol), steroids (prednisone), water pills (furosemide), pain killers (aspirin), antibiotic (azithromycin), antidepressant (duloxetine), heart-related medicines (metoprolol), antifungals (itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, ketoconazole), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir).

Drug-Food Interaction: Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit or its juice with Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler as it may lead to severe adverse effects.

Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis (weak bones), fits, immune system problems, chickenpox, measles, thyroid, lung, heart, liver or adrenal gland problems, inform your doctor before taking Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler.

• ALBUTEROL
• PREDNISONE
• FUROSEMIDE
• ASPIRIN
• AZITHROMYCIN
• DULOXETINE
• METOPROLOL
• ITRACONAZOLE
• KETOCONAZOLE
• VORICONAZOLE
• POSACONAZOLE
• RITONAVIR

• Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.

• Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled food, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, bottled lemon and lime juice as it may worsen asthma symptoms.

• Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.

• Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of the Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler and irritate the lungs worsening breathing problem.

• Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.

• You are advised to rinse your mouth with water after each dose of Symbicort 320mcg/9mcg Turbuhaler because it not only removes the taste of medicine inhaled but also helps to avoid fungal infections (oral thrush) in the mouth and throat. After rinsing your mouth thoroughly, you may drink water, milk or any liquids.

• Avoid using more than 12 inhalations in a day and more than 6 inhalations at once.

Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times in a week and up to 4 nights in a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).