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In this Article

• What is budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?
• What are the possible side effects of budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?
• What is the most important information I should know about budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?
• How should I use budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Symbicort)?
• What happens if I overdose (Symbicort)?
• What should I avoid while using budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?
• What other drugs will affect budesonide and formoterol (Symbicort)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Symbicort)?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Symbicort)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose can cause redness around your nose, runny nose, trouble breathing, nervousness, muscle cramps, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, sleep problems (insomnia), tremors, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using budesonide and formoterol inhalation (Symbicort)?

Avoid using other long-acting inhaled bronchodilators such as salmeterol (Advair, Serevent) or formoterol (Foradil Aerolizer) while you are using budesonide and formoterol inhalation.

Using a steroid can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicines.

What other drugs will affect budesonide and formoterol (Symbicort)?

Before using budesonide and formoterol inhalation tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, Ery-Tab), or telithromycin (Ketek);
• antifungal medication such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox);
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil);
• a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Betoptic, Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren, Timoptic); or
• a diuretic (water pill) such as bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zarxolyn), torsemide (Demadex).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with budesonide and formoterol inhalation. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about budesonide and formoterol inhalation.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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