From the Guidelines
Yes, Symbicort is a maintenance inhaler for asthma, containing a combination of budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid) and formoterol (a long-acting beta-agonist), typically prescribed for daily use to control and prevent asthma symptoms. According to the most recent guidelines, including the 2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines 1, Symbicort is used for long-term control and prevention of symptoms in moderate or severe persistent asthma. The budesonide component reduces inflammation in the airways, while formoterol helps relax airway muscles for up to 12 hours.
- The usual dosage is 1-2 inhalations twice daily, morning and evening, though the specific dose is prescribed by a doctor based on the patient's condition.
- It's essential to use Symbicort regularly as prescribed, even when feeling well, to maintain control of asthma.
- Symbicort works gradually to improve lung function and prevent asthma attacks, and it should not be used as a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms.
- A rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, should still be kept available for sudden symptoms.
- Rinsing the mouth after using Symbicort can help prevent thrush, a fungal infection, as recommended by previous guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL is a combination product containing a corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist indicated for: • Treatment of asthma in patients 6 years of age and older. (1. 1) • Maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction and reducing exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. (1.2)
Yes, Symbicort (budesonide-formoterol) is a maintenance asthma inhaler, as it is indicated for the treatment of asthma in patients 6 years of age and older 2. The recommended dosage for asthma treatment is 2 inhalations of BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL 80/4.5 or 160/4.5 twice daily, with the starting dosage based on asthma severity.
From the Research
Symbicort as a Maintenance Asthma Inhaler
- Symbicort is a combination inhaler that contains budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, and formoterol, a long-acting beta(2)-agonist 3, 4.
- It is used for the maintenance and reliever therapy of asthma, and has been shown to improve asthma control, reduce exacerbations, and maintain day-to-day asthma control at a reduced load of corticosteroids 3, 5.
- The Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) concept allows patients to use only one inhaler for both maintenance and reliever therapy, which can simplify asthma treatment and improve adherence to prescribed medication 3, 4.
Efficacy and Safety of Symbicort
- Studies have shown that Symbicort is effective in reducing the incidence of severe asthma exacerbations and hospitalization/ER treatment, with similar daily symptom control compared to sustained high-dose salmeterol/fluticasone plus a short-acting beta(2)-agonist 5.
- Symbicort has also been shown to be well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of budesonide, and no unexpected pattern of abnormalities 6.
- The combination of budesonide and formoterol in Symbicort has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects, which contribute to its clinical benefits 6.
Pharmacoeconomic Review of Symbicort
- A systematic review of the pharmacoeconomics of Symbicort found that total costs were lower with Symbicort than with separate inhalers containing budesonide and formoterol 7.
- Adjustable dosing with Symbicort was associated with lower treatment costs than fixed dosing with Symbicort or the combination of fluticasone/salmeterol 7.
- The Symbicort SMART concept has been shown to improve asthma control, reduce exacerbations, and reduce direct and indirect costs compared to fixed maintenance therapy with either Symbicort or fluticasone/salmeterol 7.