The medication Symbicort is available in the form of the “Symbicort Turbohaler”. This is an inhaler that contains two different active ingredients: Formoterolhemifumarate 1 H2O and budesenoside. Formoterolhemifumarate 1 H2O is a long-acting beta-agonist, also called a bronchodilator.
The active ingredient makes breathing easier, because it relaxes the muscles of the bronchi. Budesonide, in turn, belongs to the group of active ingredients known as corticosteroids. Budesonide can therefore reduce and even prevent swelling and inflammation of the lungs. Symbicort is therefore prescribed as a drug for the treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Application
Use in asthma: If the sufferer has asthma, Symbicort can be used according to two different concepts. 1) Symbicort is used regularly every day as a basic medication and a second inhaler is used as a medication on demand for acute asthma attacks to facilitate breathing. 2) In the other application Symbicort is used as the sole asthma inhaler.
Patients use it every day and additionally as a demand medication in asthma attacks. Use in COPD: Symbicort can also be used to treat severe COPD in adults. COPD is usually caused by excessive cigarette smoking.
Method of application
Symbicort must be used exactly as directed by the doctor. If there is any uncertainty, it is essential to consult the doctor treating you. Regular daily use of Symbicort is important even if there are no acute asthma or COPD symptoms.
In addition, the physician should monitor the treatment at regular intervals. Basic guidelines are the following instructions for use: 1. if Symbicort is used as a regular medication with an additional inhaler if necessary for acute asthma attacks, Symbicort should be used daily. Adults (18 years and older) usually take Symbicort twice a day (1-2 inhalations each).
If necessary, the physician may increase the daily frequency of use to up to four inhalations each twice a day. If the symptoms are well controlled, the doctor may decide to reduce the number of applications to once a day. In adolescents the dose is usually once or twice a day (1-2 inhalations each).
Again, the doctor may reduce the frequency of use to once a day if necessary, if the symptoms are well controlled. Children (6-11 years) should use the drug at the lower potencies. Under no circumstances should the drug be increased or decreased independently without consulting the doctor.
The separate inhaler can be used additionally if necessary for asthma symptoms. The separate inhaler must always be carried for these occasions to be used directly for asthma symptoms. If Symbicort is used without an additional inhaler (only from the age of 18 and only prescribed by a doctor), it must be used daily to prevent the occurrence of asthma symptoms.
Ideally, Symbicort should be inhaled in the morning and Symbicort in the evening. Alternatively, two inhalations in the morning or evening are also possible. No more than 6 inhalations should be used in succession, but before that as often as necessary until you feel better.
More than 12 inhalations within 24 hours is not indicated! For this purpose Symbicort should always be carried along so that it can be used directly if acute asthma symptoms occur. In special cases a doctor’s order for 12 applications daily may be necessary, but these should only be carried out for a limited time.
When exercising, asthma symptoms may occur, which can be alleviated by using Symbicort. However, Symbicort should not be used shortly before physical exertion in order to avoid provoking the occurrence of asthma symptoms. 3 In case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), use is only allowed in adults over 18 years of age.
The usual dosage is two inhalations twice a day. Starting a new inhaler: Before a new inhaler can be used, it must be prepared as follows: Use of the inhaler: If Symbicort is used, the following sequence of steps must be maintained for each application: The dose display shows how many of the 120 initial doses are still present in the device, but the display is staggered in steps of 10 so that not every single dose can be read.If a red mark appears at the edge of the display, there are about 20 cans left. The last 10 cans are then displayed on a red background, so that a follow-up inhaler can be obtained in time.
If the “0” appears on the display, it is necessary to change to a new inhaler.
- The transparent protective film is removed (at the marked tear point)
- Unscrew and remove protective flap. A rattling noise can be heard.
- Now the inhaler is held upright and the dosing wheel must point downwards.
- The dosing wheel is turned in one direction until the stop and then in the opposite direction until the stop.
- A clicking sound is heard.
- The process is repeated, i.e. the dosing wheel is turned in both directions.
- The inhaler is then ready for use.
- Unscrew and remove protective flap (rattling noise audible)
- Hold the inhaler upright with the dosing wheel down.
- The mouthpiece should not be held while the inhaler is loaded with a dose.
- To do this, first turn the dosing wheel in one direction until it stops and then turn it in the other direction until it clicks. The inhaler should only be prepared for use if an application is actually to be carried out immediately afterwards.
- The inhaler is held away from the mouth and exhaled gently.
- Then the mouthpiece is carefully taken between the teeth and enclosed with the lips.
- Then inhale as strongly and deeply as possible through the mouth, but do not chew or bite on the mouthpiece.
- Put the inhaler down and exhale gently.
- Depending on your doctor’s prescription, repeat the above steps for further inhalation if necessary.
- Then screw the protective cap back on.
- Rinse mouth with water after use and spit the water out afterwards.
- Once a week, clean the outside of the inhaler with a dry cloth (do not use liquids for cleaning! ).
