Does Symbicort Work? An In-Depth Look at its Efficacy and Benefits

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Clinical studies show Symbicort significantly improves lung function for asthma patients within 15 minutes of the first dose, demonstrating that Does Symbicort work? is a question with a positive answer for many individuals seeking long-term control. This combination inhaler is a powerful tool in managing chronic respiratory conditions.

Quick Summary

Symbicort, a combination inhaler containing a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator, is highly effective for the maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD, improving lung function and reducing exacerbations.

Key Points

Dual Action Formula: Symbicort contains two active medicines, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid (budesonide) and a fast-acting, long-lasting bronchodilator (formoterol), for comprehensive respiratory control.
Proven Effectiveness: Clinical trials and patient reports confirm Symbicort's ability to significantly improve lung function and reduce the frequency of asthma and COPD exacerbations.
Fast Onset of Action: For many users, particularly those with asthma, symptom improvement can begin within 15 minutes of administration, although full benefits may take up to two weeks.
Maintenance, Not Rescue: It is critical to remember that Symbicort is a long-term maintenance treatment and is not intended for the relief of sudden, acute breathing problems.
Side Effect Mitigation: Rinsing the mouth thoroughly with water and spitting it out after each use is a simple but important step to prevent common side effects like oral thrush.
Not for Everyone: While effective for many, Symbicort may not be the best choice for all patients, and its cost or potential side effects can be a barrier for some.
Generic Availability: A more affordable generic version, budesonide/formoterol, is available, providing a cost-effective alternative for eligible patients.

Understanding the Mechanism: How Symbicort Works

Symbicort is a combination inhalation aerosol that addresses two key issues in respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients: budesonide and formoterol.

Budesonide (Inhaled Corticosteroid or ICS): This medicine reduces inflammation in the lungs and airways. For chronic conditions like asthma and COPD, persistent inflammation narrows the airways, making breathing difficult. The anti-inflammatory action of budesonide helps to calm this swelling over time, allowing for more open airways.
Formoterol (Long-Acting Beta2-Agonist or LABA): This component is a bronchodilator that relaxes the smooth muscles around the airways. This provides a fast-acting and long-lasting effect, improving airflow and relieving symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness.

Working together, these two components provide both quick relief from bronchoconstriction and long-term control of the underlying inflammation, a more comprehensive approach than a single-ingredient inhaler.

The Efficacy of Symbicort in Clinical Settings

Clinical evidence and patient testimonials both support the effectiveness of Symbicort, particularly for individuals whose conditions are not well-controlled by a single medication.

Effectiveness in Asthma

For asthma patients aged 6 and older, Symbicort has been proven effective in improving lung function and overall asthma control.

A study showed that for patients with moderate-to-severe asthma, Symbicort delivered sustained improvement in lung function over a 12-week period.
Results from another trial demonstrated that for patients with mild asthma, Symbicort used as-needed led to a significant 51% reduction in annual asthma exacerbations compared to using a short-acting bronchodilator alone.
Many patients report a dramatic improvement in symptoms and reduced need for their rescue inhaler after starting Symbicort, with some noting a difference within the first dose.

Effectiveness in COPD

For individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, Symbicort is used as a maintenance treatment to manage airflow obstruction and reduce exacerbations.

Clinical data showed that Symbicort significantly reduced the annual rate of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations compared to using formoterol alone.
A significant percentage of patients in trials also reported a clinically meaningful improvement in their quality of life.
Patient reviews echo these findings, with many experiencing a profound improvement in their ability to breathe and perform daily activities after starting Symbicort.

Symbicort vs. Other Combination Inhalers

Symbicort is not the only combination inhaler on the market. Others, such as Advair and Breo, also combine an ICS and LABA but differ in their active ingredients and delivery systems.


Feature	Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol)	Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol)	Breo Ellipta (fluticasone/vilanterol)
Active Ingredients	Budesonide (ICS) and Formoterol (LABA)	Fluticasone (ICS) and Salmeterol (LABA)	Fluticasone (ICS) and Vilanterol (LABA)
Onset of Action	Formoterol has a rapid onset, within minutes, beneficial for both daily maintenance and as-needed relief in some international regimens.	Salmeterol is a slower-acting LABA; not for acute symptoms.	Vilanterol has a slower onset, not for acute symptoms.
Dosing Schedule	Typically two inhalations, twice daily.	Varies by formulation (HFA or Diskus) and dosage.	One inhalation, once daily.
Delivery Device	Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI).	Metered-Dose Inhaler (HFA) or Dry Powder Inhaler (Diskus).	Dry Powder Inhaler (Ellipta).
Cost & Availability	Available in brand name and generic form (budesonide/formoterol).	Available in brand name and generic versions.	Only available in brand name.

Safety, Side Effects, and Important Considerations

While effective, Symbicort is not suitable for everyone and requires careful monitoring.

Important Safety Information

Not a Rescue Inhaler: Symbicort is a long-term control medication and should never be used for sudden, severe breathing problems. Patients should always carry a separate rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, for acute bronchospasm.
Side Effects: Common side effects include headache, throat irritation, nasal congestion, and oral thrush (a fungal infection). Less common but serious side effects can include cardiovascular issues, increased risk of pneumonia (in COPD patients), and decreased bone mineral density with long-term use.
Rinse and Spit: To prevent oral thrush, it is crucial to rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after each use of Symbicort.
Regular Monitoring: Due to the corticosteroid component, long-term use may require monitoring for potential eye problems (glaucoma, cataracts) and growth suppression in pediatric patients.

Patient Experiences and Adherence

Patient reviews offer a balanced perspective on the efficacy of Symbicort. Many patients praise it as life-changing, highlighting significant improvements in their symptoms and quality of life. However, some report troublesome side effects like anxiety, muscle cramps, or mood changes. Adherence is key to its effectiveness, but factors like cost and the need for consistent use can be barriers for some.

Conclusion

For patients with inadequately controlled asthma or COPD, does Symbicort work? Yes, it has a strong track record of success in clinical trials and real-world patient experiences. By combining an inhaled corticosteroid to control inflammation and a long-acting bronchodilator to relax airways, Symbicort provides a robust, dual-action approach to managing chronic respiratory diseases. Its effectiveness, however, is contingent on consistent, proper use as a maintenance medication, not as a rescue therapy for sudden attacks. As with any medication, potential side effects and individual responses can vary, making it essential to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine if Symbicort is the right treatment option for your specific needs and health profile.

For more detailed prescribing information and clinical data, refer to the official SYMBICORT® website.

Frequently Asked Questions

For asthma, many people may feel some symptom improvement within 15 minutes of the first dose. For COPD, it may begin working in as little as 5 minutes. However, the full, long-term benefits for controlling symptoms may not be fully realized for two weeks or longer.

No, Symbicort is a maintenance medication and should never be used for sudden, severe breathing problems. A separate, fast-acting rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, must be used to treat acute asthma attacks.

Common side effects include headache, throat pain or irritation, nasal congestion, and oral thrush. More serious side effects can include heart problems, increased risk of pneumonia in COPD patients, and bone density changes with long-term use.

Yes, Symbicort is FDA-approved for the long-term maintenance treatment of both asthma (in patients 6 and older whose condition isn't well-controlled with other medications) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.

To significantly reduce the risk of developing oral thrush, it is essential to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and spit it out after every use of Symbicort.

Yes, a generic version containing the same active ingredients, budesonide/formoterol, is available. Generic alternatives often cost less than the brand-name version.

Both Symbicort and Advair are combination inhalers with an ICS and LABA, but they use different active ingredients and delivery systems. Symbicort contains budesonide and formoterol, which has a quicker onset, while Advair uses fluticasone and salmeterol.