Symbicort® Inhaler for Asthma and COPD

Symbicort® is a prescription inhalation aerosol combining budesonide and formoterol. It helps control asthma and COPD symptoms when used regularly. Order the Symbicort inhaler from Canada with US delivery from Canada and Canadian pricing, including options if you pay without insurance.

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What Symbicort® Is and How It Works

Symbicort is a combination maintenance inhaler. It contains budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that reduces airway inflammation, and formoterol, a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) that relaxes airway muscles. Together, this budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate inhalation aerosol can improve breathing and reduce the risk of flare-ups when taken as directed.

Formoterol starts to open airways within minutes, but Symbicort is not a rescue inhaler. It should not be used to treat sudden breathing problems or acute bronchospasm. Keep a fast-acting reliever inhaler on hand for sudden symptoms as directed by your clinician.

Patients in the US can access Canadian pricing through our cross-border service. Your medicine ships from Canada to the US after prescription verification.

Who Symbicort Is For

Symbicort is used for:

• Asthma maintenance treatment in patients who need both an ICS and a LABA.
• Maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in COPD, including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

It is not indicated for relief of acute symptoms. Do not use it for status asthmaticus or sudden, severe episodes. Do not use Symbicort if you have had a serious allergic reaction to budesonide, formoterol, or any of the inhaler components. People with certain heart conditions, seizure disorders, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, osteoporosis, active infections, or liver problems should discuss risks and monitoring needs with their clinician.

If you are exploring treatment options, you can browse our Asthma category to see related maintenance inhalers.

Dosage and Usage

Use Symbicort exactly as prescribed. Typical label-directed regimens include:

• Asthma (adults and adolescents): Two inhalations twice daily. Your clinician may choose 80/4.5 or 160/4.5 based on prior therapy and symptom control.
• Asthma (children): For many children, 80/4.5 two inhalations twice daily may be used when an ICS/LABA is appropriate.
• COPD (adults): 160/4.5 two inhalations twice daily.

Do not exceed the maximum of two inhalations twice daily. Rinse your mouth with water and spit after each dose to help reduce the chance of oral thrush. Use proper technique and follow your asthma or COPD action plan.

Prime the inhaler before first use and if it has not been used for a while. Check the dose counter regularly and replace the inhaler when the counter reaches zero, even if it seems to spray.

Strengths and Forms

Common presentations include:

• Symbicort 80/4.5 inhaler (80 mcg budesonide and 4.5 mcg formoterol per actuation)
• Symbicort 160/4.5 inhaler (160 mcg budesonide and 4.5 mcg formoterol per actuation)
• Typically supplied as a Symbicort 120 dose inhaler

Availability can vary by supply and jurisdiction.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is close to your next scheduled dose. If it is near the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take extra puffs to make up for a missed dose. For sudden breathing issues, use your quick-relief inhaler as directed by your clinician.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store at room temperature away from heat and open flame. Do not puncture or burn the canister. Do not freeze. Keep the mouthpiece clean and capped when not in use. When traveling, keep your inhaler in your carry-on bag, avoid temperature extremes, and bring enough medication for your trip.

Benefits

When taken consistently, Symbicort can:

• Reduce airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction.
• Improve breathing and day-to-day symptom control.
• Lower the risk of exacerbations in asthma or COPD.
• Offer two proven medicines in one inhaler for convenience.

Many patients use Symbicort 80/4.5 inhaler or Symbicort 160/4.5 inhaler depending on their treatment plan. Your clinician will determine the strength that fits your condition.

Side Effects and Safety

Common side effects may include:

• Throat irritation or hoarseness
• Oral thrush (fungal infection)
• Cough or upper respiratory infections
• Headache or sinus discomfort
• Nausea or stomach upset
• Tremor or nervousness

Serious or rare effects can include paradoxical bronchospasm, allergic reactions, changes in heart rate or blood pressure, effects on bone mineral density, glaucoma or cataracts, immune suppression leading to higher infection risk, growth effects in children, and pneumonia in patients with COPD. Contact your clinician right away if you experience severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, or signs of severe allergy. Using an ICS/LABA combination reduces safety concerns linked to LABA use alone, but you should still follow your prescribed maintenance plan closely.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Tell your clinician and pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you take. Notable interactions include:

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, ketoconazole) may increase systemic exposure to budesonide.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate cardiovascular effects of beta2-agonists.
• Beta-blockers may reduce the effectiveness of formoterol.
• Diuretics or other drugs that lower potassium can increase the risk of hypokalemia with beta2-agonists.

People with cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, seizures, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes should use LABA-containing products with care. If you live with diabetes and respiratory disease, you may find our editorial on Diabetes And The Risk Of helpful, along with The Diabetic Puzzle Understanding Why for added context.

What to Expect Over Time

Some patients notice easier breathing soon after doses due to formoterol’s quick onset. Symptom control and lung function often continue to improve over days to weeks as inflammation decreases. Your clinician may adjust the strength over time, for example moving between Symbicort 80/4.5 and Symbicort 160/4.5 to match control needs.

Track symptoms, rescue inhaler use, and triggers. Use the inhaler every day as prescribed, even when you feel well. You can also explore our editorial on emerging research, How Metformin And, for broader insights into asthma care.

Compare With Alternatives

Your clinician may consider other maintenance options in the same or related classes. Two common alternatives are Advair® Hfa Inhaler (fluticasone/salmeterol) and Trelegy® Ellipta (fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol). Other options, such as tiotropium add-on therapy or dry‑powder combinations, may be appropriate based on individual goals and inhaler technique.

Pricing and Access

We offer Canadian pricing with US delivery from Canada. Check the current Symbicort price, Symbicort inhaler price, and overall Symbicort cost on this page. You can also compare budesonide formoterol price language when your prescriber discusses options. If you look for a Symbicort discount, view our Promotions page for available offers. Your order includes US shipping on Symbicort after prescription verification.

Many customers also ask about Symbicort 160/4.5 price or the Symbicort cash price for self‑pay. Actual totals depend on strength, the Symbicort 120 dose inhaler count, and your selection at checkout.

Availability and Substitutions

Specific strengths or pack sizes may be temporarily unavailable. If that happens, your prescriber may recommend a therapeutic alternative in the same class or an inhaled corticosteroid plus a separate long-acting bronchodilator. Some clinicians may discuss a budesonide formoterol inhaler 160/4.5 option or a budesonide formoterol 80/4.5 inhaler, depending on your needs and local availability.

Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips

Symbicort for asthma inhaler therapy or COPD maintenance can fit many treatment plans when daily ICS/LABA is indicated. It may not be suitable for patients with severe allergy to its components, certain heart rhythm conditions, or uncontrolled infections. Always review your medical history with your clinician.

To help manage costs:

• Ask about multi‑month supplies to reduce per‑inhaler costs.
• Use refill reminders so you never miss doses.
• Review technique regularly to avoid wasted puffs.
• Discuss whether a budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate 160 4.5 inh regimen is appropriate for you.
• If you pay out of pocket, compare Symbicort Canadian pricing options. Some patients consider budesonide formoterol without insurance discussions with their clinician.

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Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Which strength should I start with, 80/4.5 or 160/4.5?
• How should I adjust my plan if I need my rescue inhaler more often?
• What is the correct priming and cleaning routine for this inhaler?
• Should I use a spacer with this HFA inhaler?
• How will we monitor side effects like thrush, hoarseness, or tremor?
• Is Symbicort right for my COPD symptoms or asthma pattern?
• When should I schedule follow‑up to reassess control?

Authoritative Sources

Symbicort Prescribing Information

FDA Drug Approval Package

Manufacturer Website

Start your order for Symbicort with prompt US delivery from Canada.