Symbicort and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Loved how it worked the first week or two, but then developed bad chest pain, racing heart, jitteriness, muscle spasms, fatigue, dry mouth, pain urinating - being switched to another inhaler, without formoterol."

• 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."

• Deb...
• March 10, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• ber...
• November 23, 2008

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been using Symbicort for a week now and can breathe 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 are a pounding heartbeat, nervousness, and my eyes are a little irritated. Hope my side effects get better because I really like this inhaler."