Symbicort Side Effects

Generic name: budesonide / formoterol

Note: This page contains side effects data for the generic drug budesonide / formoterol. It is possible that some of the dosage forms included below may not apply to the brand name Symbicort.

In Summary

Common side effects of Symbicort include: nasopharyngitis and headache. Other side effects include: oral candidiasis, lower respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, pulmonary infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, and subcapsular posterior cataract. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to budesonide / formoterol: inhalation aerosol liquid, inhalation powder

As well as its needed effects, budesonide / formoterol may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking budesonide / formoterol, check with your doctor immediately:

More common:

• Body aches or pain
• chills
• cough, fever, sneezing, or sore throat
• difficulty with breathing
• ear congestion
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• muscle aches
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• stuffy or runny nose
• tightness of the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• congestion
• cough producing mucus
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dryness of the throat
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• frequent urge to urinate
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hoarseness
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• noisy breathing
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shivering
• sore mouth or tongue
• sweating
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• trouble with sleeping
• trouble with swallowing
• voice changes
• vomiting
• white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Rare

• Blurred vision
• confusion
• decreased urine
• dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• enlarged pupils
• fainting
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• increased hunger
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
• increased sweating, possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• muscle cramps
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• severe chest pain
• severe headache
• slow, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• stiff or sore neck
• unexplained weight loss

Incidence not known:

• Blindness
• decreased vision
• eye pain
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
• tearing

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking budesonide / formoterol, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose:

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• chest pain or discomfort
• darkening of the skin
• drowsiness
• mental depression
• rapid, deep breathing
• restlessness
• skin rash
• stomach cramps
• trouble sleeping

Minor Side Effects

Some budesonide / formoterol side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

More common:

• Stomach discomfort

Less common:

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• difficulty with moving
• heartburn
• indigestion
• muscle spasms or stiffness
• pain in the arms or legs
• stomach upset
• swollen joints

Rare

• Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in taste
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness, numbness to feet, hands, and around the mouth
• fear
• hives or welts, itching skin
• irritability
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• redness of the skin

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to budesonide / formoterol: inhalation aerosol

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included nasopharyngitis, upper and lower respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, nasal and sinus congestion, pharyngitis, allergic rhinitis,acute bronchitis, asthma,and pharyngolaryngeal pain.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included stomach discomfort, vomiting, nausea, viral gastroenteritis, dyspepsia, upper abdominal pain, and diarrhea.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included back pain, muscle spasms, arthralgia, myalgia, and pain in the extremities.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included urinary tract infections.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included tension headache, dizziness, sinus headache and migraine.^[Ref]

General

General side effects have included oral candidiasis, dysphonia, and pyrexia.^[Ref]

It is possible that some side effects of Symbicort may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.