Symbicort 160 Mcg Turbuhaler

What Budesonide/formoterol is used for:

• It is an inhaler that is used to treat asthma in adults, adolescents and children aged 6 years and older.

Do not use Budesonide/formoterol:

• If you are allergic to budesonide, formoterol or the other ingredient of this medicine, which is lactose (which contains small amounts of milk protein).

Warnings and precautions:

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol if:

• You are diabetic


• You have a lung infection


• You have high blood pressure or you have ever had a heart problem (including an uneven heartbeat, a very fast pulse, narrowing of the arteries or heart failure)


• You have problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands


• You have low levels of potassium in your blood


• You have severe liver problems.


• Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances

Possible side effects:

• Stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention if you develop throat tightness or swelling of the eyes, face, lips or tongue, feel faint, or have difficulty breathing.


• Stop using the product if you develop hives or itching of the face or body.

Other medicines and Budesonide/formoterol:

• In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any of the following medicines:


• Beta-blocker medicines (such as atenolol or propranolol for high blood pressure), including eyedrops (such as timolol for glaucoma)


• Medicines for a fast or uneven heart beat (such as quinidine)


• Medicines like digoxin, often used to treat heart failure


• Diuretics, also known as ‘water tablets’ (such as furosemide)


• Steroid medicines that you take by mouth (such as prednisolone)


• Xanthine medicines (such as theophylline or aminophylline)


• Other bronchodilators (such as salbutamol)


• Tricyclic anti-depressants (such as amitriptyline) and the anti-depressant nefazodone


• Phenothiazine medicines (such as chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine)


• Medicines called ‘HIV-protease inhibitors’ (such as ritonavir) to treat HIV infection


• Medicines to treat infections (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, Posaconazole, clarithromycin and telithromycin)


• Medicines for Parkinson’s disease (such as leva-dopa)


• Medicines for thyroid problems (such as levo-thyroxine)

How to use Budesonide/formoterol:

1. a) Using Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol and a separate reliever inhaler

• Use your Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol everyday.


• This helps to prevent asthma symptoms from happening.

Adults (18 years and above):

• The usual dose is 1 or 2 inhalations, twice a day.


• Your doctor may increase this to 4 inhalations, twice a day.


• If your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor may ask you to take your medicine once a day.

Adolescents (12 to 17 years):

• The usual dose is 1 or 2 inhalations, twice a day.


• If your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor may ask you to take your medicine once a day.

Children (6 to 11 years):

• The usual dose is 2 inhalations, twice a day.


• Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol is not recommended to be used in children who are younger than 6 years.


• Use your separate ‘reliever inhaler’ to treat asthma symptoms when they happen.


• Always keep your ‘reliever inhaler’ with you to use when you need it.


• Do not use Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol to treat asthma symptoms - use your reliever inhaler.

1. b) Using Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol as your only asthma inhaler

• Only use Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol in this way if your doctor has told you to and if you are aged 12 or above.


• Use your Budesonide/ formoterol Inhalation aerosol everyday.


• This helps to prevent asthma symptoms from happening.


• You can take:1 inhalation in the morning and 1 inhalation in the evening or 2 inhalations in the morning or 2 inhalations in the evening.

How to store Budesonide/formoterol:

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.


• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton.


• The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.


• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.


• Keep the container tightly closed.


• Do not use Budesonide if you notice any deterioration or damage to the outer packaging.


• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.