From the Guidelines
Symbicort is a recommended inhaler medication for managing COPD symptoms, particularly for patients with stable moderate, severe, and very severe COPD, as it reduces the risk of acute exacerbations and improves health-related quality of life. The medication contains a combination of budesonide (an inhaled corticosteroid) and formoterol (a long-acting beta-agonist), which work together to reduce inflammation and relax airway muscles 1. The typical dosage for COPD patients is 2 inhalations twice daily of the 160/4.5 mcg strength, though your doctor may adjust this based on your specific needs.
When using Symbicort, it is essential to rinse your mouth with water afterward to prevent thrush, a common side effect of inhaled corticosteroids 1. This medication helps improve lung function, reduce exacerbations, and enhance quality of life for COPD patients. It's crucial to use Symbicort regularly as prescribed, even when feeling well, as it works best with consistent use. Side effects may include oral thrush, hoarseness, and increased heart rate. Symbicort is not a rescue inhaler and should be used alongside a short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol for sudden breathing difficulties.
Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider are essential to monitor your response to treatment and adjust as needed. The American College of Chest Physicians and Canadian Thoracic Society guideline recommends maintenance combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting b-agonist therapy, such as Symbicort, compared with long-acting b-agonist monotherapy to prevent acute exacerbations of COPD (Grade 1C) 1. This recommendation places high value on reducing the risk of acute exacerbations of COPD together with improved health-related quality of life, reduced dyspnea, less rescue medication use, and improved lung function.
Some key points to consider when using Symbicort for COPD management include:
- Improving lung function and reducing exacerbations
- Enhancing health-related quality of life and reducing dyspnea
- Potential side effects, such as oral thrush and increased heart rate
- Importance of regular use and follow-ups with your healthcare provider
- Use alongside a short-acting bronchodilator for sudden breathing difficulties.
From the FDA Drug Label
Formoterol Fumarate Inhalation Solution is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (beta2-agonist) indicated for: • Long-term, twice daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
1.1 Maintenance Treatment of COPD Formoterol Fumarate Inhalation Solution is indicated for the long-term, twice daily (morning and evening) administration in the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
The Symbicort inhaler is not mentioned in the provided drug labels, but Formoterol Fumarate Inhalation Solution is indicated for the maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients with COPD.
- The Symbicort inhaler contains formoterol and budesonide, but the labels provided only discuss formoterol.
- Based on the information provided, formoterol is used in the treatment of COPD.
- However, the provided labels do not directly discuss the Symbicort inhaler and its use in COPD treatment 2 2.
From the Research
Symbicort Inhaler for COPD
- The Symbicort inhaler, which contains a combination of budesonide and formoterol, is used for the maintenance management of stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 3.
- The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the combination of budesonide/formoterol (160/4.5 μg; Symbicort) delivered via a pressurized meter dose inhaler for maintenance management of stable COPD 3.
Efficacy of Symbicort in COPD
- Studies have shown that the combination of budesonide/formoterol is effective in reducing exacerbations and improving quality of life in patients with COPD 4, 5.
- A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, multicenter study found that budesonide/formoterol pressurized metered-dose inhaler resulted in a 24% reduction in annual rate of exacerbations compared to formoterol dry powder inhaler 5.
- Another study found that long-term treatment with fixed combination budesonide/formoterol was associated with fewer healthcare utilization-defined exacerbations than fluticasone/salmeterol in patients with moderate and severe COPD 6.
Safety of Symbicort in COPD
- The safety profile of budesonide/formoterol is consistent with its established profile, with common adverse events including COPD, nasopharyngitis, and pneumonia 5.
- A study found that budesonide/formoterol may be associated with a lower incidence of serious pneumonia events and oral candidiasis compared to other LABA/ICS combinations 7.
Comparison with Other Treatments
- A review of studies comparing budesonide/formoterol with other ICS/LABA combinations found that the effects of budesonide/formoterol on reducing exacerbations and improving quality of life may be similar to, or more marked than, those of other LABA/ICS combinations in COPD 7.
- A study found that budesonide/formoterol was more effective than fluticasone/salmeterol in preventing exacerbations in COPD patients 6.