Is Symbicort 200/6 a Steroid Inhaler?
Yes, Symbicort 200/6 is a combination inhaler that contains both a corticosteroid (budesonide 200 mcg) and a long-acting beta2-agonist (formoterol 6 mcg), making it both a steroid inhaler and a bronchodilator in a single device. 1, 2
What Symbicort Contains
- Budesonide (200 mcg) is an inhaled corticosteroid that treats the underlying airway inflammation in asthma 1, 3
- Formoterol (6 mcg) is a rapid- and long-acting beta2-agonist that prevents and reverses airway obstruction 1, 3
- The two medications have complementary effects, treating two different components of asthma pathophysiology 1
Clinical Classification
- Symbicort is classified as a combination inhaler containing both an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) 2, 4
- The budesonide component functions as the anti-inflammatory steroid, while formoterol provides bronchodilation 3
- This combination is recommended for patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma who require both anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator therapy 5, 4
How It Differs from Steroid-Only Inhalers
- Unlike budesonide-only inhalers (such as Pulmicort), Symbicort provides both immediate bronchodilation and long-term anti-inflammatory control 4
- The formoterol component provides rapid onset of action within 1 minute of administration, which is not seen with steroid-only inhalers 3
- Clinical studies demonstrate that budesonide/formoterol combination is more effective than double-dose corticosteroid alone 1, 4
Important Clinical Context
- Guideline-recommended use: The combination of low-dose inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting beta2-agonist is a preferred treatment option for moderate persistent asthma 5
- Evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that adding a long-acting beta2-agonist to a low dose of inhaled corticosteroid provides greater asthma control than only increasing the corticosteroid dose 5
- Critical safety consideration: Long-acting beta2-agonists should never be used as monotherapy and must always be combined with an inhaled corticosteroid 5
Common Pitfall to Avoid
- Do not refer to Symbicort as simply a "steroid inhaler" when counseling patients, as this omits the bronchodilator component and may lead to confusion about its dual mechanism of action 1, 2
- Patients should understand that Symbicort contains both an anti-inflammatory medication (the steroid) and a bronchodilator, which work together to control asthma 3