Budesonide / formoterol User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• for...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "Omg... what a terrible drug! I just recently asked to be changed back to Advair. My regular doctor wouldn't, so I saw a colleague of his, and she asked why I was put on it in the first place. I told her that I did not know why he changed me from Advair to Symbicort when I wasn't having any problems with it. She changed me to Advair. It is Monday, and I just changed on Thursday, and already I feel better. Asthma is still bothering me, and I'm on prednisone, but my mental outlook has drastically changed for the better. I felt like I was in a depressing fog that I couldn't get out of. Can't believe I was on this garbage drug for a year and a half. Coughing all the time, nothing much coming out, just constant coughing. Thank God I'm off this terrible drug."

• Mos...
• May 27, 2014

For Asthma, Maintenance "While this medicine seems to work well, it does have side effects. For me, it is very easy bruising. I also had two cases of broken blood vessels. The really scary part, however, is trying to stop. Do not go cold turkey. I am now trying to ease off and am having anxiety attacks for hours."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2018

For COPD "I tried this a couple of times, and it always made breathing worse. My lungs felt inflamed. I went from general shortness of breath to not being able to complete a sentence without running out of breath."

• hap...
• March 26, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "I was first prescribed Spiriva for my COPD, and after about a month, I saw no change and was using my rescue inhaler 3-4 times a day. My doctor then prescribed Symbicort 5 weeks ago, and I haven't had to use my rescue inhaler at all since. It has really improved my quality of life! The only side effect I've noticed is my throat is a little hoarse. I'm happy!"

• Gol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2014

For Asthma, Maintenance "I went to the Dr. on Wednesday for severe asthma, and he put me on Symbicort along with a 10-day dose of Prednisone. I can tell you that Thursday I used my Ventolin inhaler only once, where I had been using the Ventolin 10-12 times a day. I woke up Friday morning not wheezing. This is the first time I can ever remember not wheezing and short of breath in the morning. After 2 puffs of Symbicort Friday morning, I am clear as a bell this afternoon. This stuff is amazing, and I feel ready to start running again."

• pet...
• July 7, 2018

For COPD, Maintenance "This has been a horror to myself and my family. It makes me feel sick all the time and has caused some serious bouts with pneumonia. I must get off of this. I absolutely cannot handle this 'medicine' any longer."

• Qua...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2016

For COPD "The medicine worked right off the bat. After 30 minutes or so, I could breathe much better, and as a smoker, it helped my wheezing go away, and I was not as tired, with more energy. NOW the BAD part. I have had a heart attack and have 3 stents. For 3 years, my bp has been perfect at 110/65 with a pulse of 58 to 65, even drinking caffeine and smoking. Since starting this, BP has increased a little, but pulse, no matter what, stays above 110 24/7, SO, I can't take it for that reason only."

• Tut...
• June 25, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "Symbicort helped breathe easier in the beginning. After a few weeks, it actually made it worse, and on top of it, gave me terrible debilitating back pain and a hoarse throat. Side effects are not worth it! I would not recommend."

• 50a...
• October 18, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "I began taking Advair, but after 6 months, I began having hand tremors. I tried Symbicort, but the side effects were too strong for me to tolerate. My asthma symptoms were improved. I was very nervous and stressed when I tried it twice. I called for advice about the medication and was told that Symbicort, Advair, and Dulera are only slightly different in chemical composition. It was suggested by the pharmacist to call my doctor to discuss trying the other medications. Dulera works well for me now. I do have mild leg cramps. It may be good to contact your doctor and see which medication will give you the least side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2025

For COPD, Maintenance "I’ve had a few of the complaints others have mentioned, but I can’t blame everything on one medicine. I’ve had trouble clearing my throat and found gargling with diluted vinegar clears it up. Remember to rinse after using Symbicort to avoid that issue. I bruise terribly and easily tear my skin if I bump into something. It’s a side effect of any drug with steroids. Steroids control inflammation, helping, so it’s a necessary evil. Leg cramps. Have had those too, but I added more potassium, adding bananas to breakfast. I also added a protein shake at least once a day. Cramps are gone. Not sure what caused cramps. I wasn’t eating a good diet, so there’s that. My ears do ring, but I developed that from years of Zithromax. I only notice it when it’s very quiet. I usually listen to the Calm app at bedtime and no longer notice the slight high-pitched hum. I can tell within an hour or two if I miss a dose. Becomes harder to do anything. I’m stage 4 COPD, and this drug helps."

• BBa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2020

For COPD "Symbicort is the best inhaler. You receive immediate relief breathing, and it relieves your breathing for an extended period. The only problem is, the inhaler is very expensive. My doctor was giving me a free sample, but they do not have any more. I'm trying Pro Air, but it is not as effective."

• pyx...
• June 13, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "My doctor gave me a sample of Symbicort last week. Before I began taking it, I got on this site to see what experiences others have had with it. I was very concerned because many of the side effects I read about made me think twice about taking it at all. I did notice that a few people were taking 2 puffs, twice a day. So I figured maybe that might be too much. So I am going to try 1 puff, once a day, at approximately the same time every day and see how it goes. Last night was the first time I used it - and it did work. Slept through the night without using my inhaler at all. Feel pretty good this morning, and still have not used my rescue inhaler. So far, so good. But we'll see in a couple of weeks."

• san...
• October 21, 2016

For COPD "I have taken Symbicort for over 1 year. It works very well, but I asked my lung doctor if we could try another inhaler. The side effect that caused me to stop taking it was hoarseness and a scratchy throat. My doctor gave me another inhaler to try. Still with the throat thing. I hope he comes up with something else, but my expectations aren't high. All of this type of inhaler must do the same thing as far as side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 2, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was diagnosed with asthma at four years old. Spent many years in and out of the hospital due to breathing-related issues. I was finally put on Symbicort at around nine or ten but was on it too long, and it eventually stunted my growth, which I guess my mother didn’t know was a side effect of prolonged use in children. I was taken off of it, and asthma got really bad again. Then, as I got older, I made the dumb decision to start smoking and felt like I was an inch away from death every morning. In my late teens, I got back on this medication and am now 28, smoke-free and asthma attack-free. It does have side effects that I’m sure I don’t notice because I’ve been on this drug so long, but the ones I do notice are: sore throat, hoarseness, dizziness immediately after use, heart palpitations. Not terrible. I’d say there are worse things, and it controls my asthma perfectly. Pro tip: always, always rinse your mouth after use."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 31, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was able to breathe finally. I had always been out of breath. All day. When I started taking Symbicort, I could breathe. And I would've been able to clean, and play with my kids, go for a walk, exercise. However, I stopped taking it. The side effects were horrible. I was angry, on edge. Worst constant headache ever! It wasn't fair to my family. Waiting to find an alternative."

• Eva...
• May 24, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "Started taking Symbicort for increasingly worse asthma after a chest infection, and the doctor wanted to try a stronger preventer. The first few weeks were OK, but after that I started to develop increasing generalized anxiety. I have had mild anxiety on and off, and usually situationally related, but the anxiety I experienced from this was generalized and grew in intensity each day... Affecting my work and home life. My sleep has also been badly affected. A lot of difficulty getting to sleep- even sleeping tablets didn't help much. I also started to get tinnitus (ringing in ears), nasopharyngitis, red dry eyes that made me look stoned, bad breath, etc. The last straw for me was the voice changes, increasing irritability, and agitation."

• Gam...
• November 17, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "I knew this medicine helped, in conjunction with the Spiriva I am on, but didn't realize until today how much. I noticed this morning, I didn't really feel it or anything going down but didn't pay attention and just went about my business (not sure how long it had been like that). Have had to use my rescue inhaler often today and had to use my nebulizer. I didn't put two and two together until I noticed the dosage counter was on 0 when I looked at it tonight and it all made sense. Only then did I realize how important it was. With it left out of the equation, my asthma was definitely not under control."

• Jac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 25, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I am over 50, and I've started experiencing breathing issues around 5 years ago. It was always during the cold weather or after running. I did my tests, and technically I don't have asthma, but I am on the border. Initially, the doctor prescribed a Ventolin inhaler, but it didn't help at all, and I even felt worse. Then (3 years ago), I was put on Symbicort 200, and I am taking it twice a day with two puffs, and it's very helpful. What a huge difference! Also, I have to say that I haven't experienced any of these side effects mentioned in this blog. My occasional headache is no more than before, I don't have stomach problems, heart problems, sleep problems, or any other health issues. Seriously."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was diagnosed with asthma at 19 years old after I got a lung infection. After some months of using Symbicort twice a day, I noticed that it really helped my breathing. It does have some side effects, though. Mine were definitely headaches, which I used to rarely have, dizziness, and tiredness."

• Joa...
• August 29, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "Have had chronic asthma since I was 12 years old and am now 43. Have tried many different meds throughout life, and nothing but my rescue inhaler really worked. Was prescribed Advair, and it worked great but caused bad heart palpitations, unfortunately. Went back to using rescue inhaler only until my doc prescribed me Symbicort almost two years ago for poorly controlled asthma, and it works great! The side effects that I notice are heart palpitations but not as severe as with Advair, aching joints, eye problems like blurriness, and recently had a bad eye infection but not sure of the cause? I feel very torn about stopping, though, because I hardly ever reach for my rescue puffer now and feel like I’m more active! Been having bad hip pain, and I'm wondering if it’s not causing that too? If I try to go off, I can’t breathe well, so I’m trying to look at the bright side of being able to breathe."

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 4, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "To start with, I am in the UK, and for me, it is an effective asthma controller. It works, but let's talk side effects: The first thing that occurred was the hallucinations; it was like being on LSD. My libido disappeared. I started to get angry very quickly and am now intolerant of the most stupid things. Short-term memory loss has become a severe problem. My eyesight has worsened very quickly, and I get eye infections easily. On top of all that, my throat has become so bad (potential Candida); I can no longer sing in public - it would have helped had I been told to rinse after every use. Having seen the official list of side effects, for all its good, this has got to go."

• Veg...
• May 18, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "I've been on Symbicort for 5 months - I was originally diagnosed with COPD. I was on Advair for 4 years and had bad side effects. I was angry and depressed. Advair made my chest feel heavy. I switched to Spiriva, it did not help, took Ventolin 6 times a day. I went on Foradil but would wake up wheezing every night and felt the worst I have ever felt. Finally, I had asthma testing and prescribed Symbicort, 2 inhalations twice a day. I've never felt better. It has literally changed my life! I am having ringing in the ears, but I'll take that over not being able to breathe any day!"

• Hat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "My doctor started to refuse my Ventolin, only wanted me to take Symbicort. Have had headaches, and the worst thrush in my throat, which doesn't go away. Tightness also. It's the worst drug I've ever used for my asthma, and my asthma has never been worse while on it."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "Symbicort worked wonders for me, but when I talked, my voice would trail off. And I had to clear my throat to get my voice back. Sometimes my voice sounded scratchy as well. Doctor recommended I washed my mouth after each use. But it still didn't work. I am in sales, so talking is important and had to change to something else."

• Mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2023

For COPD "History of asthma as a toddler. Used Primatene Mist along with tobacco use from a teenager to approximately 40 years until it was removed from the shelves. The doctor prescribed albuterol as a replacement, and I stopped smoking. Ten years later, the albuterol use was up to 3 times daily, using 2 puffs at a time. Tried Advair for a few months with little success, still using albuterol 2 or 3 times daily. Researched new inhalers and happened upon Symbicort. Requested a trial from my doctor and have been using it as prescribed for 5 years now. Initially, the new inhaler eliminated the need for albuterol. Last year, I came down with Para Influenza III, which for me was a horrific lower respiratory condition, lasting over 2 months. Thought Covid had finally found me but never tested positive. Still having to take albuterol about 3 times in a 24-hour period, along with Symbicort. Current symptoms would seem to mimic a Covid long hauler. Finally regaining stamina and using less albuterol."