Budesonide / formoterol for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• Mis...
• May 12, 2017

"I'm kind of surprised at some of the negative reviews too. I've had asthma all my life, and this miracle drug put asthma in its place (not active). I get asthma from allergies and cardio exercises. Was given a sample by a doctor I used to work for because I kept using my ProAir every 30 minutes throughout the day. After that sample of Symbicort, my life changed forever. I don't know what it is about this drug, but it only takes 2 puffs and BAM, my asthma isn't a problem until next year. Can't live without it. It's amazing stuff right here. I live by this drug (unfortunately), but fortunate that it gives me freedom from asthma for almost a full year. Problem free."

• Bon...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 15, 2018

"I went on Symbicort a few years ago due to insurance issues. Previously, I was taking Advair. I finally returned to Advair 3 days ago, and I haven’t had to use my rescue inhaler once! With Symbicort, I found myself using my rescue inhaler throughout the day and in the middle of the night, which interrupted my sleep. (My asthma was NOT under control with Symbicort.) Now I’ve been able to take full, deep breaths and have been sleeping through the night like a baby, thanks to Advair. Awesome."

• Set...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 1, 2019

"The drug itself is very effective. The manufacturers need to fix the meter that reads how many doses are remaining. I spent a month thinking my asthma had become steroid resistant because the thing read I had 40 or so doses left when I was empty. I had missed work multiple times not having an effective way to control my asthma."

• Boo...
• September 12, 2015

"This is the first preventative drug I have used that offers both short-term relief to my asthma. I have used it while suffering an attack, and the symptoms were alleviated quickly, and long-term prevention. I can be quite slack in renewing my script and my asthma, and all its nasty side effects usually come back with a vengeance within a month. I'm on a high dose, and I take four puffs daily, two times in the morning and again at night. I have never had trouble sleeping while using Symbicort. I can't recommend this medication enough, I have to take it for the rest of my life. The drug is so unobtrusive that the thought of this doesn't worry me."

• Deb...
• March 10, 2019

"I have been taking this for about a year now. I developed pneumonia and pleurisy a little over a year ago. Was on a prednisone for months, and we all know the side effects of that. After a combo of Qvar and Symbicort, I started just taking the Symbicort. Symbicort, at first, seemed to be the only inhaler that worked for me and didn’t give me any side effects. From reading all the comments, I think I have had every side effect mentioned! Blurry vision, stomach problems, feet cramps often, horrible anxiety, racing heart, sleep problems, back pain, chest feeling like on fire, dizziness, shortness of breath, now knee pain, you name it. I didn’t immediately connect it with the Symbicort but have been more seriously thinking that direction lately, especially hearing everyone else’s experience here. It would all have to be related when I have never had any issues like this before, I think it is linked to long-term use."

• Jaa...
• July 22, 2019

"I had asthma since childhood and always had troubles with it growing up doing sports. I had been using the quick relief inhaler and it was a very bad option, but I was always doing some kind of sports, and I was strong. Six or seven years back, I switched to Symbicort. Please note, when I started this inhaler, I was a sports freak, and Symbicort let me attain high levels of fitness. After two years, I could do good workouts without taking any inhaler. Eventually, I could quit this inhaler for two years when I moved abroad in a clean environment. However, due to my unhealthy lifestyle, I had to start this inhaler two years back again. Now I am 28, and I take Symbicort on a regular basis. I do understand this inhaler has side effects (primarily because it has steroids), but exercise and sports keep them at a minimum and make you feel fitter and healthier."

• Ala...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2019

"Took Symbicort for a month. Didn’t help the asthma, and I got the following side effects: feeling sick all the time, muscle/joint pain, difficulty in concentrating. The price is one of the reasons we need Medicare for All. (Doctor gave me a free sample.)"

• Col...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 2, 2012

"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 30°C/86°F. This intolerance subsided within a few days of stopping."

• S81...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2021

"I tried to go on this twice, several months apart. Both times made my asthma much worse within 2 days of starting. The second time was so bad I had to go to the ER. I experienced wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. It was scary to feel like I couldn't suck in air, and my breathing was so shallow. This is very dangerous, and this drug needs more research."

• JOR...
• July 31, 2008

"I knew within 1 hour my breathing felt less constricted. After 2-3 days, there was a marked decrease in mucous production, and best of all, after 1 week, I was able to climb an entire flight of stairs without resting. Great results."

• Wes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2021

"When I first got Symbicort 200/6 for adult onset asthma, it was amazing for the first year after several other inhalers that didn't help. Now I have been sick for 3 weeks, all tests from the hospital came back fine for everything, so I've come to the conclusion it's my medication, especially as the sickness is worse a while after using my inhaler. I feel like I can't breathe, I am coughing more, I have red cheeks, black under eyes, shaking, tachycardia, thick phlegm, adrenaline surges, bad rhinitis, joint and muscle aches, very hard to sleep, weakness, bruising, tiredness to the point I'm nearly falling asleep multiple times a day. I can't walk upstairs without nearly passing out. Chest pain. I feel the most ill I've ever felt, I've no appetite. To make things worse, my doctor won't take it seriously."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2016

"Given Symbicort inhaler after urgent care sent me to the hospital for severe asthma. Symbicort took forever (2 1/2 weeks) to help, and then, only slightly. Back started aching the 3rd day I was on it. Just figured, at first, it was from trying to sleep in the hospital bed. Head ached, too, though. Joints started aching soon after. Two weeks later, Symbicort seemed to help enough to maybe use the ProAir or nebulizer a couple times less during the day. But still needing it at times. Back/joints/headache continued after all other meds from the hospital discharge finished. Plus, short of breath a lot, with achiness in the upper chest a week or so ago. Stopped Symbicort Sunday night. Now Wednesday, and already feeling better."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

"I have been on Symbicort 160/4.5, 2 doses twice a day for ten days now. I am actually breathing worse than before I got the Symbicort. I have never heard myself wheeze so badly until the past few days. The thrush is awful. I actually had pieces of my throat come up when I cough. And they were falling off the roof of my mouth. After two days of gargling with salt water, that cleared up and I gargle every time I use the inhaler now. Sinuses only getting mucus-ier. Short of breath and coughing. Headaches are not welcome, and my last complaint is a deal breaker. I just cannot continue this drug because it is causing me to have vaginal bleeding. I NEVER have spotting or breakthrough bleeding, and to have that suddenly occur and see it has happened to other ladies, I will discontinue this drug. Unacceptable."

• Anonymous
• May 7, 2011

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• 12s...
• May 29, 2017

"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."

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

"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."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

"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

"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."

• K I...
• November 1, 2016

"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."

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

"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

"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!!"

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

"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."

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

"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."