Budesonide / formoterol User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2020

For COPD "Been using it for a month, no bells or whistles. Does what it's supposed to, I guess. I take two other inhalers as well. I see people on here saying they pay $250 for this??? Where's this at? I'm on the East Coast of Canada with no insurance, so I pay out of pocket. 120 doses $110... I switched from Zenhale to the Symbicort... good luck, stay safe."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2012

For Asthma, Maintenance "After trying a rescue inhaler and corticosteroid inhaler, I used Symbicort 3 times so far, 2 puffs morning and evening. I haven't experienced any asthma attacks, but a different type of breathing problem with a burning sensation in my chest with nausea, and I had to use a rescue inhaler. I will call the doctor soon to see if lowering the dosage will improve that."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have minor asthma on one side of my chest. After having COVID, that side of my chest really tightened up. Inflammation went down slowly, week to week, and I was using albuterol every day. I saw my allergy and asthma doctor for something that's not a rescue inhaler and that might speed up the healing. He put me on a low dose of Symbicort with the basic instructions of 2 puffs at night before bed and in the AM. Well, one puff was more than I could stand. Yeah, it opened up my chest more and has stayed open, but the side effects are awful. Side effects: slight nausea, increased heart rate, couldn't sleep, and just a general ill feeling."

• jeb...
• April 29, 2009

For COPD "The first couple of weeks, it seemed to help, but then I developed a bad case of thrush, even though I rinsed and gargled after each use. I did not swallow it. I have had the 5 pills to suck on every day for 14 days and now the Nystatin to swish, gargle, and swallow. I am much better now, but I took myself off the Symbicort. I am also on a lot of other medicines, but the one I absolutely need is phenytoin, due to a brain aneurysm. My mother had esophageal candida and was on Diflucan all the time, and I have had my share of yeast infections also."

• CBL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "Nightmare. I was on Flovent 2 times daily and Albuterol as needed. I went to see an allergist who suggested I try Symbicort instead. I took the prescribed 2 puffs this morning at 8. My throat and lungs felt hot and irritated. My cough got much worse and my heart was racing and pounding. I had terrible anxiety, trouble focusing my eyes, headaches, and a racing heart all day. It’s now 9:30 at night and still not back to normal. Never, never, never again."

• rac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 24, 2019

For COPD "Helps breathing some. My copay is $271. Received an email from Symbicort that said if I printed it and took it to my pharmacy, it would cost an average of $35 and maybe be free. The pharmacist said if I used the Symbicort card, it would be $418. I think it's just a scam to get my information."

• 12s...
• May 29, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "Mine is seasonal asthma, and until Symbicort, I ended up in the ER several times a year (spring, summer, fall). That's when I take 2 puffs, 2 times a day, and have yet to have an attack. Winter, only 1 puff every other day. Sure, I have occasional wheezing, but that's why I have Ventolin. Looking back (10 plus years), I have to tell you - I'm really happy not to have to use Prednisone, possibly ever again."

• K I...
• November 1, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "Was having to use my ProAir all the time. I did my pulmonary function test and came back with a combination of asthma with mild COPD. I knew I was having difficulty breathing, and boy, did this help. I use a spacer with it, and it really helps to keep it from hitting my tongue or areas of my mouth. It really helps it to get into my lungs. I do wash my mouth out afterward, too. I was using my ProAir without a spacer until my pulmonary function test until my pulmonary doctor recommended using both this and my ProAir with spacers to ensure most of the medicine gets in the lungs instead of the mouth. It's amazing what the spacer does instead of just using the MDI by itself. I can still carry my rescue inhaler by itself when absolutely needed."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have had asthma for some 20 years. Tried everything on the market. Was using a rescue inhaler 10 times a day. Finally was put on Symbicort, and after one day was breathing easier. No coughing, wheezing, or tightness. The only side effect that has bothered me is severe muscle cramps in my sides. I'll take cramps over not breathing any day."

• Ade...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "Worked fine for a while, been having horrible calf and foot cramps that wake me up out of a dead sleep screaming! I have had thrush about 10 times in the past 2 years. Can't handle hot conditions for any length of time, and I'm an optician, and it causes me blurred vision at times, so I have taken myself off this medication. The side effects are not worth the benefits of this medication."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been on Symbicort just over a week for COPD, and I have not felt this well in a very long time. As soon as I took my first breath after the first dose, I felt like I could 'breathe' again. I have not had to use my albuterol inhaler at all. In fact, I have peripheral neuropathy, and I pray it's not my imagination that my feet even feel better. I hope I do not face side effects, my only concern is my BP, but I am not checking for a while to allow my body to adjust fully. In fact, if it does up my BP, I don't care because I feel better."

• woo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have poor lung function, asthma, and COPD (though I've never smoked). I started Symbicort a few months ago, and it was great for the first few weeks - I could breathe well and sleep through the night without a 'reliever.' After that, I started experiencing side effects - calf cramps and a croaky voice. But my resting pulse rate was worrying - normally at around 82, it moved up to be over 100 all the time. After around 3 weeks on Symbicort (one puff a day as prescribed), my breathing was starting to go downhill, and I woke one night with a resting pulse of 120. My heartbeat was heavy, I felt really dreadful, and it was obvious to me that the bronchodilator part of the Symbicort was now dangerous for me. I stopped taking Symbicort the next day. Within a day or so, my heart rate was normal, and I felt so much better. I switched to Pulmicort Turbohaler and started taking Intal (inhaler), a combo that seems to work pretty well with my tired old allergic lungs."

• Sym...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "Long story short, I was prescribed this drug and ended up coughing from March through July! Serious hard coughing, which caused bladder incontinence and anxiety. I would never tell anyone to use this, ever!!"

• dsm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 6, 2023

For Asthma, Maintenance "My asthma was uncontrolled, and I was taking albuterol 10 times or more per day. I woke up every night with asthma attacks. I was convinced I would die from asthma, but my doctor prescribed me Symbicort. I have been on it for about a year now and I have not had a single asthma attack. I haven't missed a single dose, 2 inhalations twice per day. I have had zero side effects."

• The...
• July 23, 2009

For Asthma, Maintenance "After having asthma for 23 years, using my inhaler four to eight times daily, and no preventative inhalers ever working, I was given Symbicort. At first, I thought it was just another expensive inhaler that wouldn't work, but I was shocked. After one day, I was using my inhaler twice a day, and after the first week, I went over 24 hours without using a rescue inhaler (the first time in 23 years!). While I still carry it around, I used it 0-2 times daily (a big improvement!). Inhalers that lasted two weeks now last six weeks or longer. I have noticed that I get a chest pain (like soreness) when I first started, or restart after forgetting it for a week or two. It eventually goes away."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "I'm a 40-year-old woman and have had asthma my entire life. My doctors have tried numerous meds over the years to control my asthma. I've tried three times over a number of years to use this drug. It worked great when it came to controlling my asthma, but every time I've tried to continue on it, I have spotting (constantly), about a week after being on it. I have regular periods and have never spotted between, except while on this drug. My doctor thinks I'm crazy when I explain this side effect. But I know my body, and I know it's the Symbicort! As soon as I go off the drug, it goes away. Symbicort controlled my asthma, but after three tries, I just can't tolerate this side effect."

• dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2016

For COPD "Worked really well, but the side effects were unmanageable. Rinsed, gargled as instructed, but developed thrush, and swallowing was very painful. Discontinued use, but it took over six months to get over the side effects. Now on Advair and am so scared of this happening again that I take it right before a meal so that food will clean the esophagus of the medication. Hope new drugs being tested will result in a drug as good as Symbicort, but without the side effects! Are there any patches or injections available as I have severe GERD, and pills and inhalers cause me extreme pain."

• Sto...
• August 31, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "A reasonably good drug at controlling my moderate seasonal asthma (I was diagnosed with asthma in my early 40s. During allergy season, I have moderate asthma symptoms - really crummy lungs with wheezing - though I've never had an actual asthma attack. During non-allergy season, I don't need any maintenance most years). However, I had to stop taking the medication for two reasons: first, the drug made my heart race, which was a huge problem at night - I couldn't sleep. It also made me somewhat anxious and short-tempered. I thought I had generalized anxiety. Instead, it was the medication giving me the symptoms (now that I'm off the drug, my heart rate is fine, and the jumpiness has disappeared). The other drawback was severe hoarseness."

• Jam...
• July 26, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have only been on Symbicort for a few days, but I already know these side effects are not for me. I have the worst case of jitters I've ever had and dizziness. I also had a very, very mild nosebleed, though I'm not sure it was associated with the medication, I just know I haven't had a nosebleed since I was a child. My regular doctor advised me to either go down to one puff twice a day or, if I would rather, to stop it altogether since I have my first Pulmo appointment next week. I have chosen to stop the drug, I can't deal with these side effects. I can say my breathing did improve, but for now, I'll rely on my albuterol. Really wish I wasn't having such scary effects! Glad it works for most of you!"

• noo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "Ok, I could not afford this medicine, so I signed up for free or reduced price on their site. I filled the application out, and the doctor sent in info as well. Three weeks turned into a month, then a month was turning into two months. I had called them and asked what the problem was. They said everything I sent in was fine. She said she was getting it in order to be reviewed, and she would call me back the next day. I said, are you sure? She said, 'Yes, I promise I'll call you back the next day.' I never heard from them. She never called back. Many times I spent up to six hours just waiting on the phone to talk to someone. The next day, same thing. Over and over again, I would call and wait up to five to six hours for someone to call back, never got a return call. I believe they just want your info, cause I can't find any other reason."

• ren...
• January 29, 2011

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, it's 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, now we will see if I can climb that hill."

• wol...
• May 29, 2010

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 May, and I was miserable until my allergist (MD) put me 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."

• jay...
• November 7, 2008

For Asthma, Maintenance "I love this inhaler. I have been a severe asthmatic for 35 years. I tried all the medicines out there - nothing worked. With Symbicort, I have been asthma-free for months and have not had to use my rescue inhaler since I started it. Thank you, Symbicort, for my life back."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2010

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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 22, 2023

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have had mild asthma in damp, cold weather most of my life. I was prescribed Symbicort after a bout of pneumonia caused my asthma to spiral out of control. I have used this for over four years now. It worked to clear the inflammation, so I stopped wheezing. However, I began to experience a few silent attacks of asthma when stressed out. These caused lung pain on one side and tightening of bronchial tubes. I developed a moon face and water weight gain. I had thoughts of dying every day, fatigue, dry skin, yeast infection, thrush of the mouth, and cataracts at 54 (removed at 59). I asked for a lower dose, but the doctor would not do that. This past year, I started having ankle swelling at joints and pain in my big toe. It increased so I could not walk at times. It was diagnosed as high uric acid, which leads to several health conditions. These are all side effects of using this drug. Yes, it stopped the night dry coughing and wheezing, but the side effects became too much to bear. I tapered off the inhaler three times until I am off this drug."