The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
Review by Thankful to breath (taken for 1 to 2 years):
User Rating:
10
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD: This has helped so very much. I still have the attacks and energy is still very low but, this has given me the best results so far.
Review by Linda/Australia (taken for 1 to 6 months):
User Rating:
7.0
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: Comforting to read that others have muscle cramps when using Symbicort. I particularly am now getting cramp in my calf when stretching in bed and good to know this is probably the reason. I also get bleeding soooo easily on my arms now with any minor knock. Minor side effects I think though to be able to breath again and no use of Ventolin since starting on Symbicort 200.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD: After the VA diagnosed my concern as COPD they gave me Combivent 4 times a day and I had to use a rescue Albuterol in between that. It was very discouraging. The doctor then sent me Symbicort 80/4.5 the first day was a miracle. I can shovel snow, walk my dog 1/2 mile and have not touched the rescue once. Not sure of any side effects yet as it has been only a week but the BEST week in a long time. I would recommend this to anyone who can use it.
Review by Tom Swank Charlotte Mi (taken for 1 to 2 years):
User Rating:
10
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I have had asthma for all 28 years of my life. I used to use my Albuterol inhaler no less than four times a day for over six years. My life was miserable. After many failed maintenance meds my doctor gave me Symbicort. Its like being in a totally different life. I use my emergency inhaler so infrequently that I forget where it is all the time as I used to sleep with it in my hand...All night. Thank you Symbicort and a big old shout out to my Doc. thank you for giving me my life back.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I've always had mild asthma, but about 6 months ago, it got really bad and I was using my Ventolin like every 2 hours. Especially at night, I'd wake up almost every hour and need to have a puff of Ventolin. It was bad, I know, but I kept putting up with it. But last time I went to the doctor, I mentioned how bad it had got and she put me on another asthma medication called Symbicort. It's saved my life, makes it SO much more easy to manage. Now I never use Ventolin at all and I only have two puffs of this Symbicort at night... it's amazing. It's made my life so much easier.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: Asthma, improved, however the loss of my hair by almost 30% and effect in my voice by creating hoarseness, made me to stop the usage of the SYMBICORT.
17 users found this comment helpful.
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Review by Anonymous (taken for less than 1 month):
User Rating:
8.0
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: After trying rescue inhaler and corticosteroid inhaler, I used Symbicort 3 times so far, 2 puffs morning and evening. I haven't experienced any asthma attack but a different type of breathing problem with burning sensation in my chest with nausea and I had to use rescue inhaler. Will call the doctor soon to see if lowering dosage will improve that.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: Generally, I have done quite well on this medicine when used in combination therapy. Lately, however I have developed a raspy voice and increased asthma symptoms. This may be unrelated to Symbicort and I will be seeing a physician shortly to address.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I took Symbicort 200/6 for 6 years and although it's an effective asthma preventative I suffered an increased number of chest infections and couldn't tolerate temperatures above 30c/86f, this intolerance subsided within a few days of stopping.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD: Have been taking this medicine for 3 years. At first I thought it wasn't doing anything for me. I took myself off of the medication. After a few weeks I noticed that my breathing got worse.
Symbicort has made a huge difference in me being able to breath and not. Concerns are my high dosage compared to other people I know who are on it.
16 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I have used many different types of inhalers for asthma control. Symbicort seems to work well, but may cause significant personality modification (nervous, angry at small things, anxiety over small things) and muscle/bone aching that is significant, especially if any work is done , even small things.
20 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD: After the first use of 160/4.5 Symbicort my lungs opened and phlegm coughed up. Had more energy. This product is the first time in 5 yrs that I felt it working. VA even carries the product. I also have more energy.
23 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I have been using Symbicort for the past two years. Before that I had constant chest infections and has loads of steroids and antibiotics. But since I was given this I can do a lot more and don't need my Ventolin very much at all.
10 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I have had asthma for some 20 years. Tried everything on the market. Was using rescue inhaler 10 times a day. Finally was put on Symbicort, and after one day was breathing easier. No coughing, wheezing, or tightness.
Only side effect that has bothered me is, severe muscle cramps in my sides. I'll take cramps over not breathing any day.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: 4 years on Symbicort=no asthma. Very expensive here. Side effects yes, worst is any small knock on hands or arms result in instant bruises.
10 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: As I got older my asthma got worse, and eventually my doctor gave me Symbicort. I absolutely loved it, and I would totally recommend it. I only had to use it once a day, and I was able to go about my day with no shortness of breath. I was finally confident enough to engage in a lot of activities without the fear of struggling. The only problem I had with this medication was that if I missed a dose I found that I would have a full blown asthma attack. I don't know if anyone else has had that problem.
13 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I have been asthmatic for years, I was using my other inhaler up to 6 times a day, and then my doctor suggested Symbicort and it has been like a miracle. The first time I used it and ever since its just worked great, no more asthma at all. Amazing..anyway I have had no side effects so far...and I pray I don't so I can get back to exercising, I had to stop before, I would have an asthma attack every time. So no we will see if I can climb that hill.
13 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD, Maintenance: This is the greatest thing that's happened in my life in the last year.
I used to have to use my Ventlin inhaler 3/4 times a day. I have not used it since I started Symbicort! My last doctor wouldn't even let me try it. Glad I changed doctors. I can go up and down stairs without stopping trying to breath. My child even noticed the difference.
53 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD: Had tried Advair and one other inhaler and didn't do anything. Was using albuterol when needed (2-3 times a day). Doctor put me on Symbicort and had immediate relief. Only take 2 puffs in the morning and set for the day. No side effects yet (6 weeks now). Hopefully it will continue to work on my COPD. Also, I'm a smoker (of course trying to quit) and even with smoking, Symbicort has worked great.
35 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for COPD, Maintenance: Had tried Advair and one other inhaler and didn't do anything. Was using albuterol when needed (2-3 times a day). Doctor put me on Symbicort and had immediate relief. Only take 2 puffs in the morning and set for the day. No side effects yet (4 weeks). Hopefully it will continue to work on my COPD.
48 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I can't live without it. The best asthma medicine ever! I don't use my rescue inhaler ever, and I can sleep all night without waking up gasping for air.
12 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: Helps with maintenance and if I forget to take it, it usually starts working relatively quickly after I have taken my normal dosage.
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: I'm a seasonal asthmatic. My worst months are May to September. I was using my Ventolin inhaler up to 8 times a day on the onset of my allergy season, so my Doctor put me on Symbicort. The effects were immediate. I've been using it for 2 weeks and haven't used my rescue inhaler since. My side effects are no different than the side effects of my inhaler - increased heart rate and dry cough.
15 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: Symbicort has made an amazing improvement in my Asthma since I started taking it. I have asthma triggered by pollen, grasses and weeds. During the pollen season here in Atlanta, I wore a mask to go outside. Now I don't have to. Our pollen season is long: March through to May and I was miserable until my Allergist (MD) put be on this medication. You have to give it a few days to take effect but then you can really feel the difference in your airways after you've taken the prescribed inhalations. P.S. I also take Allegra (antihistamine) - so the two products have helped me breathe like a normal person, finally.
14 users found this comment helpful.
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Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) for Asthma, Maintenance: My breathing improved after a few days but after being on the inhaler for one week, I began developing oral thrush. My doctor put me on the lower dosage (after a week on Difucan for the thrush) and had me use a spacer but, after one week, I had the thrush again and he had to take me off the medication. I don't know if that is more of a rare reaction to the medication. I always rinsed out my mouth after using the inhaler but it didn't seem to help.
16 users found this comment helpful.
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