Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it:
- to treat asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older
- as a maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) in adults
Here are some fast facts about Symbicort:
- Active ingredients: budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate
- Drug class: corticosteroid and long-acting beta2 agonist
- Drug form: metered-dose inhaler as an inhalation aerosol
If Symbicort works for your condition, your doctor will likely recommend that you use it as a long-term treatment.
As with other drugs, there can be side effects (also called adverse effects) with the Symbicort inhaler. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Symbicort, including details about its uses, see this article.
Symbicort can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Symbicort in clinical trials:
- headache
- back pain
- upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold or sinusitis
- nasal congestion
- oral thrush* (a yeast infection in your mouth)
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Symbicort use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Symbicort’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Symbicort include:
- back pain
- stomach discomfort
- nasal congestion
- upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold or sinusitis
- vomiting
- bronchitis
- mild oral thrush (a yeast infection in your mouth)*
- headache*
- mild allergic reaction*
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Symbicort and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Symbicort may cause serious side effects. Serious side effects are rare and less likely to happen if Symbicort is taken exactly as prescribed.
The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Symbicort’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Symbicort, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Weakened immune system. Symptoms can include:
- frequent infections
- low blood cell counts
- Hypokalemia (low potassium level). Symptoms can include:
- muscle spasms
- muscle weakness
- fast heart rate
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Symptoms can include:
- dizziness
- increased thirst
- blurry vision
- tiredness
- Decreased bone density. Symptoms can include:
- brittle nails
- bones being more likely to break
- Adrenal gland suppression. Symptoms can include:
- tiredness
- increased cortisol level
- weight gain
- Paradoxical bronchospasm. Symptoms can include:
- shortness of breath
- cough
- chest tightness
- wheezing
- Eosinophilia (high levels of certain white blood cells). Symptoms can include:
- tiredness
- chest pain
- numbing and tingling in your hands and feet
- difficulty breathing
- Central nervous system issues. Symptoms can include:
- dizziness
- nervousness
- tremor
- Cardiovascular issues.*
- Pneumonia.*
- High blood pressure.*
- Serious oral thrush (a yeast infection in your mouth).*
- Severe allergic reaction.†
Talk with your doctor if you feel as though you are having serious side effects while using Symbicort.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Symbicort. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Symbicort may cause similar side effects in both children and adults. Clinical trials showed that the most common side effects in children included headache, runny nose, and throat irritation (sore throat).
A serious side effect of Symbicort in children is decreased growth. Your child’s doctor will monitor your child’s growth during treatment with Symbicort. One way to reduce the risk of decreased growth is to use the lowest dose of Symbicort possible that manages your child’s symptoms.
If you notice that your child may have decreased growth while using Symbicort, talk with their doctor.
Symbicort may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Should I expect weight gain or weight loss with Symbicort?
Weight gain or weight loss are not known side effects reported in clinical trials of Symbicort.
However, Symbicort does contain an active ingredient, budesonide, which belongs to a drug class called corticosteroids. These drugs are known to cause weight gain when used at higher doses or for long periods of time.
If you are concerned about weight gain with Symbicort, talk with your doctor.
Is anxiety a side effect of Symbicort?
Anxiety is not a known side effect of Symbicort, according to clinical trials of the drug.
If you experience anxiety with Symbicort, this could be a sign that you are using more than the recommended dosage. Formoterol, one of the active ingredients in Symbicort, can cause overdose symptoms such as anxiety and nervousness.
If you believe you have taken too much of this medication, talk with your doctor immediately. They will assess your symptoms and recommend the best next steps.
Where can I find reviews from people who had side effects with Symbicort treatment?
Many people search the internet to find reviews or testimonials from people who have taken or currently take Symbicort before starting therapy.
However, online customer reviews may not be as reliable as other types of resources, such as the patient information medication guide provided by the drug manufacturer. While customer reviews can provide some insight, they can be unreliable. This is because every person’s body will respond differently to medications based on an individual’s body makeup, metabolism, and medical history.
To help decide whether Symbicort is the best treatment option for you, talk with your doctor. They will work with you to find the right medications for you.
Are there long-term side effects of Symbicort?
Yes, you may experience long-term side effects while taking Symbicort. Both a reduction in bone density and eye problems have been reported with long-term use of Symbicort.
One of the active ingredients in Symbicort, budesonide, belongs to a class of medications known as corticosteroids.
Clinical trials have shown long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to decreased bone density. This can increase the risk of bone fractures. Certain factors may also further raise your risk of bone fractures. These include:
- osteoporosis
- past or current tobacco use
- difficulty eating a balanced, nutritious diet
- being an older adult (ages 65 years and over)
If you start to experience decreased bone density with Symbicort, your doctor may recommend medications to treat osteoporosis, such as Fosamax (alendronate).
Additionally, long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts. If you experience vision changes or have a medical history of glaucoma or cataracts, your doctor may recommend regular eye exams and closer monitoring of symptoms.
If you are concerned about the potential of these long-term effects, talk with your doctor to determine whether Symbicort is right for you. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment option for you.
Does Symbicort cause withdrawal symptoms when stopping treatment?
Symbicort is not known to cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that happen after you stop taking a drug your body has become dependent on. These side effects were not reported in clinical trials of the drug.
However, one of the active ingredients in Symbicort, budesonide, belongs to a class of medications known as inhaled corticosteroids.
Oral or systemic corticosteroids can cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. Common withdrawal symptoms of oral corticosteroids may include joint and muscle pain, adrenal insufficiency, or depression. If you are currently taking a maintenance oral corticosteroid, such as prednisone, you will need to be appropriately tapered off your oral therapy before starting Symbicort. Doing so will help prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Talk with your doctor if you are currently taking or recently stopped taking oral corticosteroids. They will work with you to establish a plan to slowly stop the oral therapy before starting Symbicort.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Symbicort may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Symbicort.
Heart-related side effects
You may experience heart-related side effects while taking Symbicort. These side effects were rare in clinical trials of the drug, and are more likely to occur in people who already have a history of heart problems.
Heart related-side effects can include:
What you can do
Taking Symbicort exactly as prescribed is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart-related side effects. Lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and plenty of sleep can reduce your overall risk of heart problems.
Talk with your doctor if you experience heart-related side effects while taking Symbicort. They will assess your symptoms and help determine a treatment plan that’s best for you.
High blood pressure
You may experience high blood pressure while taking Symbicort for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma. Typically, you will not experience any symptoms of high blood pressure until it becomes severe. Severe high blood pressure was a rare side effect in clinical trials of Symbicort.
Symptoms of severe high blood pressure can include vision problems, headaches, chest pain, irregular heart rate, and confusion.
What you can do
Regularly monitoring your blood pressure will help you notice any changes. Using Symbicort exactly as prescribed can help reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
Talk with your doctor if you experience high blood pressure while taking Symbicort. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Oral thrush
Oral thrush (a yeast infection in your mouth) is a common side effect that people taking Symbicort reported in clinical trials. However, if left untreated, it could become a serious side effect. Symptoms of oral thrush can include white spots in your mouth, loss of taste, mouth pain, sores on the inside of your mouth, and bleeding around the mouth sores.
What you can do
The most important action you can take to reduce your risk of oral thrush is to rinse your mouth out with water without swallowing after taking your dose.
Talk with your doctor right away if you feel as though you may be developing oral thrush while taking Symbicort. Your doctor may prescribe antifungal medications such as Diflucan (fluconazole) or nystatin to help manage the infection. It’s important to treat oral thrush as soon as you can to help prevent the infection from spreading in your body.
Headache
Headache is a common side effect of Symbicort. Clinical trials showed that headaches were typically mild in severity.
What you can do
Headaches from Symbicort typically go away on their own. Talk with your doctor if you have frequent or bothersome headaches. Your doctor may recommend medications to treat your headaches, such as Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Severe headaches may be a sign of other serious side effects from Symbicort, such as heart problems or central nervous system problems.
Pneumonia
You may be more likely to develop pneumonia while taking Symbicort. Clinical trials showed that people who were using Symbicort for COPD had a greater risk of developing pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia may include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, increased mucus production, and chills.
What you can do
Monitoring for signs and symptoms of pneumonia to help detect an infection early for treatment will allow you to reduce your risk of severe infection.
Talk with your doctor if you feel as though you may be developing pneumonia while using Symbicort. Your doctor will assess the severity of your symptoms and may recommend antibiotics such as Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate) or Zithromax (azithromycin).
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Symbicort can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trialsof the drug. However, since Symbicort became available for use, people have reported severe allergic reactions immediately after taking a dose or a while after.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Symbicort. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Symbicort. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Use with oral corticosteroids. Talk with your doctor if you are taking oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone or hydrocortisone, before starting Symbicort. You will need to make a plan with your doctor to wean off oral corticosteroids before starting Symbicort. If you take oral corticosteroids with Symbicort, you may increase your risk of adrenal gland suppression.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Symbicort or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Symbicort. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
History of heart problems. Talk with your doctor if you have a history of heart problems, such as arrythmia and heart failure, before starting Symbicort. Symbicort can cause heart problems, and this risk is increased in people who already have a history of heart issues. For more about heart-related side effects, see the “Side effects specifics” section above.
History of central nervous system (CNS) problems. Talk with your doctor if you have a history of CNS problems, such as seizures, before starting Symbicort. Symbicort can cause CNS problems, and this risk is increased in people who already have heart conditions.
Osteoporosis. Symbicort can cause loss of bone density. If you have a history of osteoporosis, you may be at an increased risk of symptoms such as bone fractures and bone pain. Talk with your doctor if you have a history of osteoporosis before starting Symbicort.
History of glaucoma or cataracts. You may be at an increased risk of worsening glaucoma or cataracts while taking Symbicort long term. Symbicort can increase pressure buildup in your eyes and worsen glaucoma symptoms. Talk with your doctor if you have a history of glaucoma or cataracts before starting Symbicort.
Thyrotoxicosis. Symbicort can worsen symptoms of thyrotoxicosis (high thyroid hormone activity). Talk with your doctor if you have a history of thyrotoxicosis. Your doctor will assess your risk and determine the best treatment plan for you.
Immunosuppression medications. Symbicort can cause a weakened immune system and increase your risk of infections. If you are taking medications that also cause a weakened immune system, such as Prograf (tacrolimus) or Humira (adalimumab), you may have a higher risk of developing infections. Talk with your doctor about all the medications you are taking before starting Symbicort.
Liver problems. Before using Symbicort, tell your doctor about any liver problems you have, such as liver failure. It isn’t known for certain whether Symbicort is a safe treatment option for people with liver problems. It’s possible for people with a liver condition to have a higher risk of side effects from the drug.
If you have a liver problem, your doctor may monitor you closely for side effects during Symbicort treatment.
Alcohol with Symbicort
There is no known interaction between alcohol and Symbicort. However, drinking alcohol while using Symbicort can increase your risk of certain side effects. For instance, Symbicort and alcohol can both cause high blood pressure, and when used in combination, this risk is increased.
Talk with your doctor if you drink alcohol while using Symbicort. They can advise you on how much alcohol, if any, may be safe for you.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Symbicort
According to clinical trials, it’s not clear whether it’s safe to use Symbicort during pregnancy. Animal studies show an increased risk of congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects) in pregnant animals given Symbicort. There are currently no human trials of the use of Symbicort during pregnancy.
Symbicort contains two active ingredients: formoterol and budesonide. There are currently no human trials of inhaled formoterol alone in pregnant people. However, animal studies show formoterol injections alone to increase the risks of both congenital anomalies and pregnancy loss. Clinical trials of budesonide show that using inhaled budesonide alone is safe for people who are pregnant.
It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Symbicort while breastfeeding. Symbicort contains two active ingredients: formoterol and budesonide. Budesonide can pass into breast milk. However, there are currently no human trials of formoterol, so it’s not known whether the drug passes into breast milk.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. You should also talk with them if you are breastfeeding or considering it. Your doctor can help determine whether Symbicort is safe for you.
If you are taking Symbicort for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, there is a risk you may experience side effects. Most side effects with Symbicort are mild to moderate in severity. Serious side effects can occur while you are taking Symbicort. For more information, see “Serious side effects” above.
If you’d like to learn more about Symbicort, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Symbicort. For details about other aspects of Symbicort, refer to this article.
- Drug comparison. Learn how Symbicort compares with Breo and Dulera.
- Dosage. For information about the dosage of Symbicort, view this article.
- Interactions. To find out about Symbicort’s interactions, see this article.
- A look at your condition. For details about asthma, see our asthma and allergies hub. And to learn more about COPD, refer to our COPD hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.