From the Guidelines
Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) dosing for asthma and COPD should be 2 inhalations of 160/4.5 mcg twice daily, with a maximum of 4 inhalations per day, as this regimen has been shown to reduce exacerbations and improve quality of life 1. The medication comes in different strengths, including 80/4.5 mcg and 160/4.5 mcg per inhalation in the US. Patients should rinse their mouth with water after each use to prevent oral thrush, a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids. It's essential to use Symbicort regularly as prescribed, even when symptoms improve, and not to stop suddenly as this can worsen respiratory conditions. The medication works through two mechanisms: budesonide is a corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation, while formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes airway muscles to improve breathing. Dosing should always be individualized by a healthcare provider based on disease severity and patient response. Some studies suggest that combination therapy with a long-acting beta-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid may be beneficial for patients with moderate to severe COPD, as it can reduce exacerbations and improve quality of life 1. However, the choice of treatment should be based on individual patient preferences, cost, and adverse effect profile 1. In general, the use of Symbicort has been associated with improved outcomes in patients with asthma and COPD, including reduced exacerbations and improved quality of life 1.
Some key points to consider when prescribing Symbicort include:
- The medication should be used regularly, as prescribed, to achieve optimal benefits
- Patients should be instructed to rinse their mouth with water after each use to prevent oral thrush
- The choice of treatment should be based on individual patient preferences, cost, and adverse effect profile
- Combination therapy with a long-acting beta-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid may be beneficial for patients with moderate to severe COPD
- Dosing should always be individualized by a healthcare provider based on disease severity and patient response.
Overall, Symbicort is a valuable treatment option for patients with asthma and COPD, and its use should be guided by the principles of individualized treatment and evidence-based medicine 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
More frequent administration or a higher number of inhalations (more than 2 inhalations twice daily) of the prescribed strength of BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL is not recommended as some patients are more likely to experience adverse effects with higher doses of formoterol Adult and Adolescent Patients 12 Years of Age and Older For patients 12 years of age and older, the dosage is 2 inhalations of BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL 80/4.5 or BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL 160/4.5 twice daily. For patients with COPD the recommended dose is BUDESONIDE AND FORMOTEROL FUMARATE DIHYDRATE INHALATION AEROSOL 160/4.5, two inhalations twice daily.
The recommended dose of Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) is:
- For asthma in adult and adolescent patients 12 years of age and older: 2 inhalations of 80/4.5 or 160/4.5 twice daily.
- For asthma in pediatric patients aged 6 to less than 12 years: 2 inhalations of 80/4.5 twice daily.
- For COPD: 2 inhalations of 160/4.5 twice daily 2.
From the Research
Symbicort Dose for Asthma and COPD
The recommended dose of Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can vary depending on the specific condition and severity of symptoms.
- For COPD, the dose is typically 160/4.5 μg, two inhalations twice daily 3.
- For asthma, the dose can range from 80/4.5 μg to 160/4.5 μg, two inhalations twice daily 3. Some studies have investigated the use of triple therapy with budesonide, glycopyrronium, and formoterol for patients with COPD and asthma-like symptoms, with doses of budesonide/formoterol ranging from 320/9.6 μg to 640/18 μg 4, 5.
Key Findings
- A study published in 2020 found that triple therapy with budesonide, glycopyrronium, and formoterol improved inspiratory capacity in patients with asthma-COPD overlap 4.
- Another study published in 2020 found that budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol had comparable efficacy to other triple therapies in reducing exacerbations and improving lung function in patients with moderate to very severe COPD 6.
- A 2024 study found that triple therapy with budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol improved lung function, reduced exacerbations, and improved health-related quality of life in patients with COPD and phenotypic features of asthma 5.
- A 2021 review of budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol found that it reduced the rates of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations and improved lung function to a greater extent than dual therapies 7.