Is Symbicort used as a rescue or maintenance inhaler?
Key Points
What are the uses for Symbicort?
Symbicort is FDA-approved to control and prevent the symptoms of asthma in adults and children at least 6 years old.
It is also approved to help control the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and reduce flare-ups.
Symbicort comes as a combination inhaler and contains two medicines:
When used for asthma, your doctor may prescribe Symbicort if your asthma is severe or is not well-controlled on other long-term asthma medicines. If your symptoms improve and you are well-controlled, your doctor may discontinue use of Symbicort.
How does Symbicort come at the pharmacy?
Symbicort comes in two different strengths: budesonide 80 mcg / formoterol 4.5 mcg or budesonide 160 mcg / formoterol 4.5 mcg. Your doctor will prescribe the correct strength that you need for your specific condition. Symbicort is also available as a lower-cost generic option.
The manufacturer of Symbicort is AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca may also be able to provide cost-saving coupons, and online coupons may be available.
Symbicort should be taken as two puffs two times each day, morning and evening, about 12 hours apart. Do not exceed your prescribed dose. Take your Symbicort exactly the way your doctor prescribes it.
Warnings for formoterol
Formoterol is one of the active ingredients in Symbicort. It is classified as a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). LABAs help to relax the muscles around your airways to improve wheezing, cough chest tightness and shortness of breath.
LABAs, when used alone, may increase the risk of hospitalization or death in people with asthma. However, this risk is not increased when budesonide and formoterol are used together as a combination product. If you are taking a LABA without an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma, check with your doctor right away.
Available data do not suggest an increased risk of death with use of a LABA alone in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
It’s important you do not exceed the dose of your LABA, or take other medications that contain a LABA due to elevated risk for dangerous heart side effects.
In addition to formoterol, examples of medications that are LABAs available on the US market include:
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine contains a LABA.
How much does Symbicort cost?
Symbicort comes as both a brand name product and as a generic. Costs for medications depend upon if you have insurance or pay for the full price out-of-pocket. Prices can differ around the country, in different pharmacies, and if you use a mail-order pharmacy. Online coupons or manufacturer assistance programs may be available to help you save money.
According to the manufacturer, the average out-of-pocket cost for Symbicort if you have commercial insurance is around $33 per month. You may be able to get Symbicort for free using AstraZeneca’s Symbicort Savings Offer.
For people with Medicare Part D coverage, the average out-of-pocket cost is $31 per month.
For Medicaid, your cost will probably not exceed $2 per month.
If you are uninsured or have Medicare Part D and still are having trouble paying for medication, challenges, you may be eligible for AstaZeneca’s assistance program, AZ&Me.
Contact AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Symbicort, if you cannot afford your medication. They may be able to provide you with significant cost savings. Call 1-800-236-9933, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm ET.
Bottom Line
This is not all the information you need to know about Symbicort for safe and effective use. Review the full Symbicort information here, and speak to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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