Symbicort

Symbicort Turbohaler is an inhaler that is used to treat asthma. Symbicort Turbohaler 200/6 and 400/12 can be used in adults and adolescents aged 12 – 17 years. 100/6 strength can be used for adults, adolescents and children aged 6 years and older. It is also used to treat the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in adults aged 18 years and older.
It contains two different medicines: budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate.
– Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called ‘corticosteroids’. It works by reducing and preventing swelling and inflammation in your lungs.
– Formoterol fumarate dihydrate belongs to a group of medicines called ‘long-acting beta2 adrenoceptor agonists’ or ‘bronchodilators’. It works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This helps to prevent asthma and COPD symptoms like breathlessness and wheezing, allowing you to breathe more easily.
Symbicort Turbohaler may be used in different ways, depending on your needs. Once you have completed a consultation form, one of our prescribers will be in touch to discuss this with you.

Preparing your new Symbicort Turbohaler:
Before using your new Symbicort Turbohaler for the first time, you need to prepare it for use as follows:
1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. You may hear a rattling sound.
2. Hold your Turbohaler upright with the red grip at the bottom.
3. Turn the red grip as far as it will go in one direction. Then turn it as far as it will go in the other direction (it does not matter which way you turn it first). You should hear a click sound. It does not matter whether the click comes on the first or the second twist.
4. Do this again, turning the red grip in both directions.
Your Turbohaler is now loaded and ready for use.

How to take an inhalation:
1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. You may hear a rattling sound.
2. Hold your Symbicort Turbohaler upright with the red grip at the bottom.
3. Do not hold the mouthpiece when you load your Symbicort Turbohaler. To load your Symbicort Turbohaler with a dose, turn the red grip as far as it will go in one direction. Then turn it as far as it will go in the other direction (it does not matter which way you turn it first). You should hear a click sound. It does not matter whether the click comes on the first or the second twist. Your Symbicort Turbohaler is now loaded and ready to use. Only load your Turbohaler when you need to use it.
4. Hold your Symbicort Turbohaler away from your mouth. Breathe out gently (as far as is comfortable). Do not breathe out through your Turbohaler.
5. Place the mouthpiece gently between your teeth. Close your lips. Breathe in as deeply and as hard as you can through your mouth. Do not chew or bite on the mouthpiece.
6. Remove your Symbicort Turbohaler from your mouth. Then breathe out gently. The amount of medicine that is inhaled is very small. This means you may not be able to taste it after inhalation. If you have followed the instructions, you can still be confident that you have inhaled the dose and the medicine is now in your lungs.
7. If you are to take a second inhalation, repeat steps 2 to 6.
8. Replace the cover tightly after use.
9. Rinse your mouth with water after your daily morning and/or evening doses, and spit it out.

Do not try to remove or twist the mouthpiece. It is fixed to your Symbicort Turbohaler and must not be taken off. Do not use your Symbicort Turbohaler if it has been damaged or if the mouthpiece has come apart from your Symbicort Turbohaler.