Table of Contents
What is Symbicort?
Symbicort is a combination medication. It consists of Budesonide and Formoterol. These two medications help control the signs and symptoms of Asthma. Symbicort generic also helps in improving lung function. The medicine is prescribed by the doctor to asthma patients when they are not able to control their asthma sufficiently just by oral medication or when a patient needs more than one medicine to control their asthma symptoms every day. It’s not a fast-relieving medication, so doctors suggest not using this medication if your asthma attack has already started. It also helps in treating blockage in airflow and reduces the worsening of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), which consists of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
How do the medicines in Symbicort work?
Now that we know that Symbicort is a combination of Budesonide and Formoterol, let’s learn more about these two medicines.
Inhaled Budesonide belongs to a class of medicines commonly known as corticosteroids, i.e., cortisone-like medicines. These medicines work to prevent inflammation( swelling) in some parts of the lungs, which usually causes an asthma attack. Corticosteroids open up the airways to help you breathe freely. FDA approved Budesonide for the treatment of Asthma in 1997.
On the other hand, Inhaled Formoterol belongs to a class of drugs known as bronchodilators. It is classified as LABA, i.e., a long-acting beta-2 agonist. They work to help the muscles in and around the airways of your lungs to relax and prevent a few asthma symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing. It also helps in increasing the airflow through the bronchial tubes and helps in breathing easily without any issues. This medicine was approved by the FDA in 2001. It should be noted that formoterol, when used without combining with any other medicine, can increase the risk of someone getting hospitalised. It also increases the chances of death in people suffering from asthma problems.
When both budesonide and formoterol were combined together, it got a new name, i.e., Symbicort Inhaler. Generic Symbicort has been approved by the FDA since 2006 to treat mainly two conditions :
- Asthma – It is used to treat Asthma in patients six years or older. Symbicort is prescribed to patients whose Asthma cannot be controlled by a long-term asthma control medicine like an inhaled corticosteroid, Or when a patient is required to take two medications, i.e., inhaled corticosteroid and a LABA, to control their asthma symptoms.
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) – Symbicort is an FDA-approved treatment for patients suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It helps in controlling and treating COPD like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is very useful in reducing flare-ups caused due to COPD.
How Quickly does Symbicort work in the case of Asthma?
In the case of Asthma, Symbicort starts improving your symptoms within 15 minutes of inhaling the medication. As results vary from patient to patient, do not worry if you do not see an overall improvement immediately in your symptoms after starting Symbicort. They may or may not occur within two weeks and can take longer than that as well.
Bottom Line
Symbicort is a long-term maintenance medication for treating and controlling asthma or COPD symptoms. Symbicort contains two medicines, formoterol, and budesonide, that function together to lessen inflammation and open the airways in your lungs to breathe more easily. This medicine can help you tame your disease’s symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, over the long term. Never suddenly stop using your Symbicort Inhaler. Your breathing symptoms may deteriorate, leading to an asthma attack or COPD flare-up. Only stop using Symbicort when suggested by your physician. You can check out the Symbicort generic price on daynightdrugs.com and get the best deals for your medication.
