Get Informed: Symbicort
Active Ingredient(s)
Symbicort
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid (Budesonide) and a bronchodilator (Formoterol).
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 5:11 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Symbicort
- Symbicoct
- Foradil Combi
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its increased risk of asthma related fatalities.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 21 Jul 2006
- Est US Patients*
- 552,300
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Symbicort or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Symbicort
Symbicort Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Symbicort interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Symbicort used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 3,600 patients that use Symbicort (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma | 63% | 
|
| COPD | 51% | 
|
How well does Symbicort work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,600 users taking Symbicort (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 88%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Symbicort outweigh the bad things.
- 11%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Symbicort.
Common Side Effects of Symbicort
iGuard regularly polls our more than 3,600 users taking Symbicort (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
24% of patients experience side-effects on Symbicort
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Symbicort
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Tremor
-
Loss of Appetite
-
Drowsiness
-
Dryness
-
Restlessness
-
Eye Irritation
-
Abdo Pain/Cramps
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Altered Taste/Smell, Cough, Dizziness, Fatigue, Headache, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Nose Bleeds, Sore Mouth/Throat
Global Patient Feedback for Symbicort ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Symbicort has been a miracle drug for me and I fear the day I'll ever need to stop taking it. The only side effects I regularly experiance is a severe tremble for an hour or so after taking the medication. I also have a mystery headache, but that could be from other drugs or a combo of them.
39 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-06 20:07:20
Question/Comment:
The only problem I have with Symbicort is that my voice is somewhat "raspy" for about 2-3 hours after taking my two puffs. Overall though, the medication does work. My asthma is not as severe as it was, plus I take a Singular at night time to go with the inhaler.
47 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-01-24 19:24:10
Question/Comment:
I have been in symbicort for 2 years and it was the first time on 20 years i could walk and sleep well. since i do not have insurance i stoped using it. now i feel so bad and i cannot breath and do anything i hope somebody do somthing for people who doesn't have insurance.
41 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-28 16:40:14
Answer/Reply:
I too have been taking Symbicort for a little over a year and have no insurance. My doctor gives me samples in his office. Also try going to the website. I just received a card in the mail for a free prescripition of Symbicort. I'm not sure if I got the info on how to sign up off TV or their website. Finally Astra Zeneca I believes participates in the program that provides free medication for the uninsured. Again you can check this out by going to their website.
58 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-16 14:31:32
Answer/Reply:
AstraZeneca - the company that makes Symbicort - has a program to help you afford your medication, Go to http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/help-affording-your-medicines and see if you can get on their program.
52 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-16 15:06:54
Answer/Reply:
get on the montel williwms patient assistance program site and put in all your meds. the program will match you with drug companies that can help you. Asta Zeneca is who makes Symbivort and I get my inhaler through NO CHARGE! hope this hepls.
33 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-18 22:20:18
Answer/Reply:
Contact the company. They may be taking part in the Prescription Assistance program. Singulair's manufacturer is I know as they helped me a few years back when we were having money issues.
62 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-22 00:14:53
Answer/Reply:
There is a new program now its call peoples health care, the phone # is 1-(888)937-5742. They will talk to you & send the paper work to you that you need to get the meds you need at a reduceed cost, it really work I'm on it, I was spending about $2,500.00 per month. Now I spend about $200.00, & still get all the same meds. John "62" old on a very fixed income.
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-24 14:07:20
Answer/Reply:
I have just started taking Symbicort, the doctor has given me samples many times. Most doc's have a lot of samples and just throw them out each month. Their sales reps give them so the doc's can give to patients, but a lot of them don't. Can you get help from your state? ( Medicaid ) Also contact AstraZeneca the maker of Symbicort. They have a program to help if you don't have insurance. You can go online at AstraZeneca.com. Good luck, I hope you can find some help.
61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-27 17:32:36
Question/Comment:
I've found Symbicort to help a lot although I still use my Ventolin Inhaler occasionally.I've also
found it to ease my "smoker's cough" Just haven't given up smoking yet.I know that's a "no brainer
but I guess I'm totally addicted to tobacco.Been smoking for 50 years so it's kinda hard to quit.
I totally agree about the cost being outrageous ,even with my insurance it's about $40.00
co- pay.I don't know how I'd be able to pay for it on my own.I'm on a bunch of meds so the total
out of pocket expense is about $300.00 a month or more.How can people without insurance be
able to afford their meds.
Sorry for drifting off the subject but it really bothers me when I think of ill people not being able to afford meds for their wellbeing or lives.Drug manufacturers should be forced to assist those in need of help financially.
Back to Symbicort, I think it's a great maintenance drug.I can feel the differance when
I use it once in the AM and once at night.
. Aloha from Hawaii
63 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-09 03:53:39
Question/Comment:
I started using Symbicort , last year along with singular. I was upset that I had bronchials three times last year. I just couldn't get rid of my cold. I hate meds altogether so besides taking antibiotics, I now was starting to have to take more meds. I stopped symbicort in May/June ???? This year, I was going to try to outdo a cold. I started the end of Oct retaking my symbicort/singular combo. I took it until end of February. I must have done something right- this year I had a little cough but no bronchitas. I am happy about the results. I am hoping for the same results next year.
54 Bay Shore L.I. Female
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-06-16 08:14:33
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69
Patient Comments about
Symbicort