Symbicort

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 18, 2022

Warnings

Symbicort Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Symbicort can cause serious health problems and adverse reactions, especially in certain high-risk patients. Talk to your doctor about alternative treatment options for asthma and COPD if these warnings and complications are a concern for you.

ORAL THRUSH: Budesonide, one of the two active ingredients in Symbicort, is a corticosteroid, and it can cause a fungal infection in the mouth and throat called oral thrush. The risk of this occurring is higher if you don’t rinse your mouth after using Symbicort or if you are on a higher dose of the medicine. To prevent thrush from occurring, be sure to rinse your mouth and gargle after using a Symbicort inhaler and spitting out the water. Tell your doctor if you see white patches in your mouth or throat or have problems with swallowing.
SUDDEN WORSENING OF COPD OR ASTHMA SYMPTOMS: When people with severe uncontrolled asthma or COPD take Symbicort, it can worsen symptoms, which can be life-threatening. Do not start taking Symbicort if you are having a severe flare-up of your COPD or asthma-related symptoms. Contact your doctor promptly or seek emergency medical help if you have worsened breathing problems on Symbicort.
EYE PROBLEMS: Patients treated with Symbicort for a long time can develop eye problems such as cataracts, increased eye pressure, and worsening glaucoma. The risk of vision problems is higher after long-term Symbicort use and in people with a history of eye problems. Tell your doctor right away if you experience symptoms such as eye discomfort, blurred vision, tunnel vision, or other vision changes.
HEART PROBLEMS: COPD and asthma patients taking Symbicort can develop increased heart rate and blood pressure. The risk is higher in people with pre-existing high blood pressure or heartbeat issues and those who take more frequent doses of Symbicort than prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience dizziness, nausea, tremor, fast or pounding heartbeats, irregular heartbeat, tiredness, or sleep difficulties while taking Symbicort.
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION: The budesonide in Symbicort is a corticosteroid medication that can lead to immunosuppression. This can cause worsening of infections like tuberculosis and other bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections. Taking Symbicort can also increase the risk of lower respiratory tract infections and lung infections like pneumonia. Look out for symptoms of infections and contact your doctor immediately if you are sick.
ADRENAL SUPPRESSION: Systemic absorption of inhaled steroids (Budesonide in Symbicort) sometimes can cause impaired adrenal function. High doses of Symbicort can lead to a hormonal disorder called adrenal suppression. If this occurs, your doctor will discontinue Symbicort slowly.
EFFECTS ON GROWTH OF PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT PATIENTS: Symbicort can affect growth in pediatric and adolescent patients. Doctors will carefully monitor your child’s growth if they are on this medication.
DECREASE IN BONE MINERAL DENSITY: Symbicort can lead to a decrease in bone mineral density and an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. Your healthcare provider will measure bone mineral density before starting you on Symbicort and periodically during treatment.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are concerned about adverse events related to Symbicort use.

Precautions Before Starting Symbicort

Tell your healthcare provider if you have had an allergic reaction to budesonide, formoterol, Symbicort ingredients, or other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your healthcare professional a complete medical history. Symbicort may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, such as those with tuberculosis, cataracts, glaucoma, osteoporosis, heart disease, liver disease, or untreated infections.

Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Precautions During Use of Symbicort

Keep all appointments with your healthcare professionals.

Symbicort is a long-acting bronchodilator and is not meant for use during an asthma attack. Your doctor will give you a quick relief inhaler to treat asthma-related acute breathing difficulties. Tell your healthcare provider if the quick relief inhaler does not provide relief of symptoms. Seek emergency medical help if effects related to your asthma attack do not stop even after using the quick-relief medication.

Inhalation of budesonide (an active ingredient in Symbicort) can sometimes lead to difficulty breathing and wheezing immediately after use. If this occurs, immediately use your quick relief inhaler or asthma medication and call your doctor. Do not use Symbicort again unless your doctor says it’s okay.

Taking Symbicort can increase your risk of severe chickenpox or measles if you have never had these infections and are not vaccinated against them. In general, it’s best to avoid sick people, especially those with chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to someone with these infections or develop symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. You may need treatment to prevent the severe effects of these infections.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Symbicort.

Tell your healthcare professionals you are on Symbicort before any surgery, including dental surgery.

Symbicort Drug Interactions

Taking Symbicort with certain other medications can affect how it works. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious adverse reactions. Your doctor may choose a different medicine, change the dose of your medications, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects with certain combinations of medicines.

Using Symbicort with the following medications is not recommended due to potential interactions:

Antiviral drugs like ritonavir
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants
Beta-blockers
Diuretics or water pills

This list does not describe all possible Symbicort interactions. Give your health care provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your health care provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances may cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.

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