Symbicort Turbuhaler Forte
Symbicort Turbuhaler forte is an inhaler containing two medicines (budesonide and formoterol) used to treat asthma in adults and adolescents (12-17 years), and COPD in adults (18+ years) by reducing inflammation and relaxing airways.
How to Use
Dosage
The usual dose is 1 inhalation twice daily. Your doctor might increase it to 2 inhalations twice daily for asthma, or reduce it to once daily if your symptoms are well controlled.
Method
Use your inhaler every day, even when you feel well. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. After each dose, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out to prevent side effects.
Do not take more than 4 inhalations per day for asthma, or 2 inhalations per day for COPD, unless your doctor tells you to. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions.
Possible Side Effects
- •Feeling your heart beat fast (palpitations), trembling, or shaking. These are usually mild and go away with continued use.
- •Thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth). Rinsing your mouth with water after each use can help prevent this.
- •Mild throat irritation, cough, or hoarseness.
- •Headache.
- •Lung infection (pneumonia) in COPD patients, with symptoms like fever, chills, increased phlegm (mucus) that changes color, or increased cough and breathing difficulties.
- •Feeling restless, nervous, or agitated.
- •Sleep problems.
- •Dizziness.
- •Nausea (feeling sick).
- •Skin bruising.
- •Muscle cramps.
- •Blurred vision or other vision changes.
- •Rash or itching.
- •Tightening of the airways, causing wheezing (bronchospasm). If this happens right after use, stop and contact a doctor.
- •Low potassium levels in the blood.
- •Irregular heartbeat.
- •Depression.
- •Changes in behavior, especially in children.
- •Chest pain or discomfort (like angina).
- •High blood sugar (glucose) levels.
- •Changes in taste, such as an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
- •Changes in blood pressure.
- •Changes in hormone levels that can affect bone strength (osteoporosis), cause cataracts or glaucoma in the eyes, or slow down growth in children and teenagers.
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to budesonide, formoterol, or lactose (which contains small amounts of milk protein).
- Talk to your doctor before using if you have diabetes, a lung infection, heart problems (like irregular heartbeat or very fast pulse), high blood pressure, thyroid or adrenal gland issues, low potassium in your blood, or severe liver disease.
- Stop using the inhaler and seek immediate medical help if you experience swelling in your face or mouth, hives with breathing difficulties, or sudden severe wheezing or shortness of breath after using it. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction or worsening asthma/COPD.
- Never use this inhaler to treat sudden asthma attacks; always use your separate fast-acting reliever inhaler for emergencies.
- If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Show 1 more warnings
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss this with your doctor before using this medicine.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults. Consider possible systemic adverse effects with high doses. (updated 15.5.2023)