Symbicort Turbuhaler 160mcg/4.5mcg Inhaler

Budesonide and formoterol together make a combination inhaler used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Budesonide is a corticosteroid. It reduces swelling and irritation inside the airways and helps prevent symptoms.
• Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. It relaxes the muscles around the airways so breathing feels easier.

Combining them means one inhaler can both prevent symptoms and open the airways. Depending on your plan, your doctor may ask you to use it every day as a preventer, as both your preventer and your reliever, or (for mild asthma) only when needed.

Use it exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist tells you, and ask them to check your inhaler technique.

• If it is prescribed as a daily preventer, use it every day, even when you feel well.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after each dose. This helps prevent mouth thrush and a sore throat.
• Find out from your doctor whether this inhaler is also your reliever or whether you need a separate reliever inhaler.
• If you miss a daily dose, take it when you remember unless the next one is nearly due. Do not double up.
• Do not stop using it or change your dose without talking to your doctor or asthma nurse first.

Common side effects include:

• shaking (tremor), a pounding or fast heartbeat, headache
• mouth thrush, a mild sore throat, cough or hoarse voice
• chest infection (pneumonia) in people with COPD

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• sudden wheezing or breathlessness just after using the inhaler (use your reliever and contact a doctor urgently)
• swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing, or hives with breathing difficulty
• fever, chills, more or discoloured phlegm, or a worsening cough or breathing
• blurred vision or other changes in your sight

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you:

• are allergic to budesonide, formoterol or lactose (the powder inhaler contains lactose with small amounts of milk protein)
• have heart problems, an irregular or fast heartbeat, or high blood pressure
• have diabetes, thyroid or adrenal gland problems, low blood potassium or severe liver problems
• have a lung infection, or currently take steroid tablets
• take beta-blockers (including eye drops), diuretics, digoxin, theophylline, some antifungals or antibiotics (such as itraconazole or clarithromycin), or HIV medicines such as ritonavir

Tell your dentist or surgeon that you use this inhaler before any anaesthetic.

No special storage conditions are needed. Keep it out of the sight and reach of children and do not use it after the expiry date.

Worsening asthma or COPD: see your doctor if you need your reliever more often, wake at night with symptoms, or your chest feels tight for longer than usual.

Steroid effects: high doses used for a long time may rarely affect the adrenal glands, bones, eyes or a child's growth. Your doctor will use the lowest dose that works.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to your doctor first. If you become pregnant, do not stop the inhaler on your own; contact your doctor.

Driving: it is not expected to affect your ability to drive.