Symbicort for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 4)

• edyn
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 23, 2021

"This stuff is terrible. I was naive to think that my Dr cared enough that they wouldn't prescribe a med or not even question said med when I've clearly had a ton of side effects for the last 10 years. Even my pharmacist argued with me when I told him that depression was a side effect. Like what. Of course it may not have been symbicort but I can't believe it took all this time for me to realize that my health concerns were due to that. I guess I thought drs would warn you about side effects but clearly not. So this is my list: went to the ER three times and twice I needed an emergency endoscopy to remove food caught in my throat. The specialist diagnosed me with GERD. I had absolutely no throat issues before starting this med. I had to go to emerg because on another occasion my face blue up twice it's size, I'm having liver issues"

• Jamie...
• July 26, 2017

"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 nose bleed, though I'm not sure it was associated with the medication, I just know I haven't had a nose bleed since I was a child. My regular doctor advised me to either go down to one puff twice or day or if I would rather to stop it all together 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!"

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2010

"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."

• renee...
• January 29, 2011

"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."

• Wesa
• 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 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."

• Whywh...
• May 9, 2015

"I was perfectly controlled on Seratide but my medical practitioner advised me to change. As far as I can tell, Symbicort has no effect at all. I don't get relief from the reliever part and I wake up coughing and spluttering. I still need to use ventolin. If I didn't know better, I would say it was a placebo."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2010

"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."

• Charles
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2017

"Symbicort did nothing for my adult-onset asthma. In fact, I get the sense that nothing is coming out of my turboinhaler. I am going to ask my doctor to switch me to something else. I am very doubtful about the turboinhaler delivery method. What was wrong with conventional inhalers? Nothing, I suspect. The turboinhaler is just a gimmick that should be recalled."

• Neara...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2021

"Exrreme foot cramps and toe cramps after 2 days use, one puff each day. Increased for nerve pain that hasn't stopped for 3 weeks. My normal foot pain meds aren't even touching my foot swelling and pain. I don't know what's in Symbicort but I returned the med to the pharmacy for them to dispose of it. Really really bad medication for me. This stuff ruined me. Works for some people but for me has caused a nightmare of pain in my feet."

• Dankles
• November 5, 2017

"Had asthma since 7, and suffered badly. I was hospitalized multiple times at fall/winter seasons. During mid-teens was introduced to Theophylline which helped but caused shakiness for the first hours. In my 20's I asked new pulmonary doc to put me on Flovent because of a TV commercial. It worked better than any drug. Just 2 puffs in the morning. I still deal with weather changes but hardly and I simply just take an extra 2 puffs at night. So I saw Symbicort and wanted to read the reviews. No one ever mentions Flovent (Qvar) which I never had bad reactions. Try before Symbicort"

• Anonymous
• March 8, 2010

"I have been on different asthma medications for the past 3 years and this is the first one that actually works. No wonder this inhaler costs so much more than the other kinds! The only side effect I have is awareness of my own heart beat when I am lying down."

• wolflew
• May 29, 2010

"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."

• tilly...
• October 10, 2011

"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."

• jaymela
• November 7, 2008

"I love this inhaler. I 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."

• AmyInNH
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 22, 2022

"Not only did this not do much, but severe side effect, deep depression. Didn't realize that til discontinuing for a while, and then restarted. Depression started within a mere 2 weeks use. Yowza, beware."

• Dee
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2020

"I am experiencing some side effects for Symbicort: This is my first time reading my asthma medicine packet and it says call your dr if I experience any side effects and it's bone pain, trouble sleeping, feeling weak, dizzy, nausea, back pain, weak bones, muscle spasms and cramps."

• MUDan...
• December 9, 2016

"I am genuinely surprised at how many people have had bad experiences on this drug! It's interesting since I've had an amazing time with symbicort and it's made my life a lot easier. I had mostly allergy and exercised enduced asthma and growing up only occasionally needed my blue puffer. It was when I started to get nocturnal asthma and a hard time breathing in the winter that my really frequent use of the rescue inhaler was not a good thing. Symbicort has made everything a lot easier. I finally sleep the entire night without waking up thinking I'm having an attack. Only downside is when my asthma is very persistent, 1 puff doesn't last the entire 12 hours for me but I can always up my dosage with my doctor if needed."

• swiss...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2017

"I have been on Symbicort inhaler for a couple of years for Asthma which I seem to have picked up since our last move to Vernon BC. and during this time have completely lost my taste buds. I am a retired professional chef and tasting food is important to me. I can hardly taste any salt seasonings etc . I can not smell things like peppermint, curry paprika etc. Right now I am just cooking from experience and I do not like it one bit."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2009

"Having developed increasingly severe asthma symptoms over the last year, I was up to using ventolin daily with little relief. Today I finally went to the doctor who immediately put my on Symbicort. I took my first dose just 1 hour ago and this stuff clearly works well. I wasn't even feeling particularly tight when I took the first dose but within minutes my breathing was noticeably easier. I will post again once I have been on it for a few weeks but so far my expectations have been exceeded."

• missi...
• June 16, 2015

"I was having to use albuterol several times a day, after nearly collapsing while fighting fire. I saved up and sought treatment. I no longer use albuterol!! Been 2 months now and insurance covers this."

• berth...
• November 23, 2008

"I have been using symbicort for a week now and can breath better, and don't have to use my albuterol at all. I do keep albuterol handy though. The only side effects I have right now is a pounding heartbeat and nervousness and my eyes are a little irritated. Hope my side effects get better because I really like this inhaler."

• Fifi
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 26, 2018

"Dr prescribed me this after advair stopped being covered by my insurance . I’ve been using it for about 2-3 years now. For me the symbicort is more effective than any other control medicine I’ve used. I hardly ever have to use my rescue inhaler and I used to use my ventolin all the time . Now my ventolin actually expires before I can use it . Symbicort is amazing !! Only con is if you stop using it for a few days you really start to feel it - chest tightness, shortness of breath, etc . So it’s really important to keep up with your refills on this medication."

• BAR
• November 6, 2020

"Symbicort prescribed and I have taken as prescribed. I developed severe sore throat, worsened breathing problems, wheezing, terrible cough. Upon reporting issues to Dr, medicine was immediately stopped. I am retired teacher on limited fixed income. I have received no response concerning reimbursement for any of the HIGH cost of this medicine. If prescribed, be aware of the high cost and possible side effects."

• Banzo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2020

"My asthma was terribly controlled. I was taking flixotide as a preventive but was using 1 ventolin inhaler up per month as I was getting wheezy and short of breath often. Since on Symbicort 400/12 I have probably reached for my ventolin twice over the past 2 months. I cannot believe the difference, I don’t have anxiety if I leave the house forgetting my ventolin. Working great for me."

• Angie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 22, 2023

"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 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."