Symbicort Aerosphere (Inhalation)

Budesonide and formoterol combination is used to help control asthma symptoms and improve lung function. It is used when a patient's asthma has not been controlled well enough with other asthma medicines, or when the asthma is so severe that more than one medicine is needed every day.

Budesonide and formoterol combination is also used as a long-term treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This medicine helps improve symptoms and reduce the number of flare-ups of COPD.

Inhaled budesonide is part of a group of medicines called corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines). It works by preventing inflammation (swelling) in the lungs that can cause an asthma attack.

Formoterol is part of a group of medicines called long-acting bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are medicines that are inhaled through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They help relieve cough, wheezing, and trouble breathing by increasing air flow through the bronchial tubes.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important for your doctor to check how you or your child is doing at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

Although this medicine reduces the number of asthma episodes, it may increase the risk of a severe asthma attack when they do happen. Be sure to read about these risks in the patient information leaflet and discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

This medicine should not be used if you are having a sudden COPD attack or if symptoms of a COPD attack have already started. Your doctor will give you a short-acting inhaler for this situation. If the short-acting inhaler is not working, tell your doctor immediately.

Inform your doctor if you are using any other medicine for your COPD. Your doctor may want you to use it only during a severe COPD attack. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to take your medicine.

Talk to your doctor or seek medical care immediately if:

• Your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine for a few days or if they worsen.
• Your short-acting inhaler does not seem to be working as well as usual and you need to use it more often.

Do not use this medicine with other inhaled medicines for COPD, including arformoterol (Brovana®), formoterol (Foradil®, Perforomist®), indacaterol (Arcapta® Neohaler®), olodaterol, salmeterol (Serevent®), or vilanterol.

Do not change your dose or stop using your medicine without first consulting your doctor.

You may become more susceptible to infections while using this medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you or your child have been around someone with chickenpox or measles.

This medicine may cause a fungal infection in the mouth or throat (thrush). Tell your doctor right away if you or your child develop white patches in the mouth or throat, or pain when eating or swallowing.

Patients with COPD may have a higher chance of getting pneumonia while taking this medicine. Check with your doctor if you start noticing increased sputum (spit) production, changes in sputum color, fever, chills, increased cough, or worsening breathing problems.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of problems with your adrenal glands. Talk to your doctor if you or your child experience more than one of these symptoms while using this medicine: darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which could be life-threatening. Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child experience a cough, difficulty breathing, or wheezing.

If you or your child develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

This medicine may decrease bone mineral density when used for a long time. Low bone mineral density can lead to weak bones or osteoporosis. If you have any questions about this, consult your doctor.

This medicine may cause children to grow more slowly than usual. Talk to your child's doctor if you have any concerns.

This medicine may lead to heart or blood vessel problems, including issues with heart rhythm. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience chest pain or tightness, decreased urine output, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, or weight gain.

Call your doctor right away if you experience blurred vision, difficulty reading, seeing halos around lights, or any other changes in vision during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may affect blood sugar and potassium levels. If you notice any changes in your blood or urine sugar or potassium test results or if you have any questions, consult your doctor.

Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification (ID) card indicating that you or your child are using this medicine and may need additional medicine during emergencies, severe asthma attacks, other illnesses, or unusual stress.

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medication must be weighed against the beneficial it will do. This is a decision you and your clinician will make. For this medication, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Inform your clinician if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medication or any other drugs. Additionally tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Symbicort Aerosphere® inhaler in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of Symbicort® inhaler in children 6 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 6 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific issues that would limit the usefulness of Symbicort Aerosphere® inhaler in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults.

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Symbicort® inhaler in the elderly. Nevertheless, elderly patients with heart issues may require special caution when receiving budesonide and formoterol combination.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential chances prior to using this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medications should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medications may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your clinician may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using this medication, it is especially critical that your healthcare professional know if you are using any of the medications listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medications is not advised. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medicine or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Bepridil
• Cisapride
• Desmopressin
• Dronedarone
• Levoketoconazole
• Mesoridazine
• Pimozide
• Piperaquine
• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live
• Saquinavir
• Sparfloxacin
• Terfenadine
• Thioridazine
• Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following drugs is usually not advised, but may be required in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed together, your physician may change the dose or how frequently you use one or both of the medications.

• Acebutolol
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Adagrasib
• Alfuzosin
• Amineptine
• Amiodarone
• Amisulpride
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amoxapine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anagrelide
• Apomorphine
• Aripiprazole
• Aripiprazole Lauroxil
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Asenapine
• Aspirin
• Astemizole
• Atazanavir
• Atenolol
• Azithromycin
• Balofloxacin
• Bedaquiline
• Belzutifan
• Bemetizide
• Bemiparin
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Besifloxacin
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Boceprevir
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Buserelin
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celecoxib
• Celiprolol
• Ceritinib
• Chloroquine
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorpromazine
• Chlorthalidone
• Choline Salicylate
• Ciprofloxacin
• Citalopram
• Clarithromycin
• Clofazimine
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Clothiapine
• Clozapine
• Cobicistat
• Conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclosporine
• Cyclothiazide
• Dabrafenib
• Darunavir
• Dasatinib
• Degarelix
• Delamanid
• Desipramine
• Deslorelin
• Deutetrabenazine
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Dexmedetomidine
• Diazoxide
• Dibenzepin
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Dipyrone
• Disopyramide
• Dofetilide
• Dolasetron
• Domperidone
• Donepezil
• Doxepin
• Droperidol
• Droxicam
• Duvelisib
• Ebastine
• Efavirenz
• Encorafenib
• Enoxacin
• Entrectinib
• Eribulin
• Erythromycin
• Escitalopram
• Esmolol
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Etozolin
• Etrasimod
• Famotidine
• Fedratinib
• Felbamate
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Fexinidazole
• Fingolimod
• Flecainide
• Fleroxacin
• Floctafenine
• Fluconazole
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flumequine
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Foscarnet
• Fosnetupitant
• Fosphenytoin
• Fostemsavir
• Furosemide
• Galantamine
• Gatifloxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Gepirone
• Glasdegib
• Gonadorelin
• Goserelin
• Granisetron
• Halofantrine
• Haloperidol
• Histrelin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Hydroquinidine
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Hydroxyzine
• Ibuprofen
• Ibutilide
• Idelalisib
• Iloperidone
• Imipramine
• Indapamide
• Indinavir
• Indomethacin
• Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
• Isocarboxazid
• Itraconazole
• Ivabradine
• Ivosidenib
• Ketoconazole
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Labetalol
• Lapatinib
• Larotrectinib
• Lefamulin
• Lenacapavir
• Lenvatinib
• Leuprolide
• Levobunolol
• Levofloxacin
• Linezolid
• Lofepramine
• Lofexidine
• Lomefloxacin
• Lopinavir
• Lorlatinib
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumacaftor
• Lumefantrine
• Lumiracoxib
• Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
• Macimorelin
• Mavacamten
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Mefloquine
• Melitracen
• Meloxicam
• Methacholine
• Methadone
• Methotrimeprazine
• Methyclothiazide
• Methylene Blue
• Metipranolol
• Metolazone
• Metoprolol
• Metronidazole
• Mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Mizolastine
• Mobocertinib
• Moricizine
• Morniflumate
• Moxifloxacin
• Nabumetone
• Nadifloxacin
• Nadolol
• Nadroparin
• Nafarelin
• Naproxen
• Nebivolol
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Nepafenac
• Netupitant
• Niflumic Acid
• Nilotinib
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Nirmatrelvir
• Norfloxacin
• Nortriptyline
• Octreotide
• Ofloxacin
• Olanzapine
• Olutasidenib
• Omaveloxolone
• Ondansetron
• Opipramol
• Osilodrostat
• Osimertinib
• Oxaliplatin
• Oxaprozin
• Oxprenolol
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Ozanimod
• Pacritinib
• Paliperidone
• Panobinostat
• Papaverine
• Parecoxib
• Paroxetine
• Pasireotide
• Pazopanib
• Pazufloxacin
• Pefloxacin
• Penbutolol
• Pentamidine
• Perphenazine
• Phenelzine
• Phenobarbital
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Pimavanserin
• Pindolol
• Pipamperone
• Piretanide
• Piroxicam
• Pirtobrutinib
• Pitolisant
• Polythiazide
• Ponesimod
• Posaconazole
• Pranoprofen
• Primidone
• Probucol
• Procainamide
• Procarbazine
• Prochlorperazine
• Proglumetacin
• Promethazine
• Propafenone
• Propranolol
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protriptyline
• Prulifloxacin
• Quetiapine
• Quinethazone
• Quinidine
• Quinine
• Quizartinib
• Ranolazine
• Rasagiline
• Relugolix
• Ribociclib
• Risperidone
• Ritlecitinib
• Ritonavir
• Rofecoxib
• Rufloxacin
• Safinamide
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Saquinavir
• Sargramostim
• Selegiline
• Selpercatinib
• Sertindole
• Sertraline
• Sevoflurane
• Siponimod
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sodium Salicylate
• Solifenacin
• Somatrogon-ghla
• Sorafenib
• Sotalol
• Sparfloxacin
• Sulindac
• Sulpiride
• Sultopride
• Sunitinib
• Tacrolimus
• Tamoxifen
• Telaprevir
• Telavancin
• Telithromycin
• Tenoxicam
• Tetrabenazine
• Tianeptine
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Timolol
• Tocilizumab
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Tolterodine
• Toremifene
• Torsemide
• Tosufloxacin
• Tranylcypromine
• Trazodone
• Trichlormethiazide
• Triclabendazole
• Trimipramine
• Triptorelin
• Trofinetide
• Valdecoxib
• Vandetanib
• Vardenafil
• Vemurafenib
• Venlafaxine
• Vilanterol
• Vinflunine
• Voclosporin
• Voriconazole
• Vorinostat
• Xipamide
• Zotepine
• Zuclopenthixol

Using this medicine with any of the following drugs may cause an increased risk of certain adverse effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how frequently you use one or both of the drugs.

• Auranofin
• Erythromycin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medications may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following is typically not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how frequently you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Grapefruit Juice

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Asthma attack, acute or
• Bronchospasm (difficulty with breathing), acute or
• COPD flare-up—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Cataracts or
• Diabetes or
• Glaucoma or
• Heart or blood disease or
• Heart rhythm issues (eg, arrhythmia) or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Immune system issue (eg, Churg-Strauss syndrome) or
• Ketoacidosis (high ketones in the blood) or
• Osteoporosis, history of or
• Seizures or
• Thyroid issues—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Chickenpox (such as recent exposure) or
• Herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye or
• Infections (eg, virus, bacteria, or fungus) or
• Measles (such as recent exposure) or
• Tuberculosis, active or history of—Can reduce the body's ability to fight off these infections.

• Electrolyte imbalance or
• Infection (eg, gastroenteritis) or
• Stress or
• Surgery or
• Trauma—Supplementary oral corticosteroids may be needed. Verify with your clinician.

• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they could require medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Body aches or pain
• chest tightness
• chills
• cough
• difficulty with breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• muscle aches
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• sneezing
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• congestion
• cough producing mucus
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dryness of the throat
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• frequent urge to urinate
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hoarseness
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• noisy breathing
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shivering
• sore mouth or tongue
• stomach pain
• sweating
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble with sleeping
• trouble with swallowing
• voice changes
• vomiting
• white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Rare

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• decreased urine
• dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• enlarged pupils
• fainting
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• increased hunger
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• increased sweating, possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• muscle cramps
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• severe chest pain
• severe headache
• slow, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• stiff or sore neck
• unexplained weight loss

Incidence not known

• Blindness
• decreased vision
• eye pain
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• tearing

Get emergency help right away if any of the following symptoms of overdose happen:

Symptoms of overdose

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• chest pain or discomfort
• darkening of the skin
• drowsiness
• mental depression
• rapid, deep breathing
• restlessness
• skin rash
• stomach cramps

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Stomach discomfort

Less common

• Belching
• difficulty with moving
• heartburn
• indigestion
• muscle spasms or stiffness
• pain in the arms or legs
• stomach upset
• swollen joints

Rare

• Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in taste
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• fear
• hives or welts, itching skin
• irritability
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• numbness in the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• redness of the skin

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Symbicort
• Symbicort Aerosphere

In Canada

• Symbicort 100 Turbuhaler
• Symbicort 200 Turbuhaler

Available Dosage Forms:

• Aerosol Liquid

Therapeutic Class: Antiasthma, Anti-Inflammatory/Bronchodilator Combination

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Do not stop using this medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may make your condition worse.

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used to prevent asthma attacks and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not used to relieve an asthma attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet or patient instructions. Read the directions carefully before using this medicine. If you do not understand the directions or you are not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you what to do. Also, ask your doctor to check regularly how you use the inhaler to make sure you are using it properly.

In order for this medicine to help prevent asthma attacks, it must be used every day in regularly spaced doses, as ordered by your doctor.

When you use the Symbicort® inhaler for the first time, or if you have not used it for 7 days or longer, or if the inhaler has been dropped, it may not deliver the right amount of medicine with the first inhalation. Therefore, before using the inhaler, prime it by spraying the medicine 2 times into the air away from the face, and shaking it well for 5 seconds before each spray.

To use the Symbicort® inhaler:

• Take the inhaler out of the moisture-protective foil pouch before you use it for the first time.
• Do not use the inhaler for this medicine with any other medicine.
• Prime the inhaler before use by shaking the inhaler well for 5 seconds and then releasing a test spray. Once again, shake the inhaler and release a second test spray.
• Breathe out to the end of a normal breath (exhale). Do not breathe into the inhaler.
• Put the mouthpiece fully into your mouth and close your lips around it. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue.
• While pressing down firmly and fully on the grey top of the inhaler, breathe in through your mouth as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath.
• Hold your breath and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Continue holding your breath for as long as you can up to 10 seconds before breathing out slowly. This gives the medicine time to settle in your airways and lungs.
• Release your finger from the grey top and then turn your head away from the inhaler. Breathe out slowly to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
• Shake the inhaler again for 5 seconds and take the second inhalation following exactly the same steps you used for the first inhalation.
• Replace the mouthpiece cover after using the medicine.
• Gargle and rinse your mouth with water after each dose. This will help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth. Do not swallow the water after rinsing.
• Clean the inhaler every 7 days by wiping the mouthpiece with a dry cloth. Do not put the inhaler into water or try to take it apart. However, you must use a new inhaler with each refill of your medicine.

The dose counter at the top of the Symbicort® inhaler will turn yellow when the inhaler has 20 or fewer doses left. Throw the inhaler when it reaches 0, or if it has been 3 months since you last opened the foil pouch.

When you use the Symbicort Aerosphere® inhaler for the first time, it may not deliver the right amount of medicine with the first puff. Therefore, before using the inhaler, prime it by spraying the medicine 4 times into the air away from the face, and shaking it well before each spray. If you have not used it for 7 days or longer or if you've dropped it, re-prime by spraying the medicine 2 times into the air away from the face, and shaking it well before each spray.

To use the Symbicort Aerosphere® inhaler:

• This medicine comes in a sealed foil pouch. Do not open the foil pouch until you are ready to use a dose of this medicine.
• Once opened, remove the inhaler from the pouch.
• Take the cap off the mouthpiece. Check the mouthpiece to make sure it is clear.
• Press the center of the dose indicator all the way down and release it. You may hear a soft click from the dose indicator as it counts down during use.
• To inhale this medicine, breathe out fully and try to get as much air out of your lungs as possible. Put your lips tightly around the mouthpiece and breathe in quickly and deeply until the canister stops moving in the actuator and a puff of medicine has been released.
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for as long as is comfortable, and then breathe out slowly through your nose.
• Rinse your mouth with water after each dose. This will help prevent infection in the mouth. Do not swallow the water after rinsing.
• Clean the actuator at least once a week with warm water for 30 seconds. Shake off the excess water. Let the actuator air-dry overnight. Do not let the canister get wet.

The dose display window of the Symbicort Aerosphere® inhaler will turn red when the inhaler has 20 or fewer doses left. Throw the inhaler when it reaches 0, or if it has been 3 months since you last opened the foil pouch.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For inhalation dosage form (aerosol): For preventing an asthma attack: Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Two puffs in the morning and another 2 puffs in the evening. Each inhalation contains 80 or 160 micrograms (mcg) of budesonide and 4.5 mcg of formoterol. Children 6 to 11 years of age—Two puffs in the morning and another 2 puffs in the evening. Each inhalation contains 80 mcg of budesonide and 4.5 mcg of formoterol. Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your child's doctor. For treatment and prevention of worsening attacks of COPD: Adults—Two puffs in the morning and another 2 puffs in the evening. Each inhalation contains 160 micrograms (mcg) of budesonide and 4.8 mcg of formoterol. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the inhaler with the mouthpiece down.

• Can asthma inhalers cause a sore throat?
• How long can you be on Symbicort?
• How often can I use my Symbicort inhaler?
• What does Symbicort do to the lungs?
• Is Symbicort a steroid inhaler?
• How long does it take for Symbicort to work?
• Symbicort vs. Advair: How do they compare?
• When should you use Symbicort?
• How to use an inhaler: step-by-step for every type

View more FAQ