What is Symbicort used for? An essential guide to its respiratory applications

October 6, 2025 •

2 min read

Symbicort is a combination inhaler containing two medications: an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-2 agonist. This unique dual-action mechanism is essential for managing chronic respiratory conditions, but what is Symbicort used for specifically? Its primary use is for the long-term, daily control of symptoms in certain asthma and COPD patients.

Quick Summary

Symbicort is a maintenance inhaler prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and certain cases of asthma. It uses a combination of budesonide and formoterol to reduce lung inflammation and relax airway muscles for improved, long-term breathing control.

Key Points

Long-term control for chronic respiratory conditions: Symbicort is used for the daily, long-term management of asthma in patients aged 6+ and for the maintenance treatment of COPD in adults.
Dual-action formula: The inhaler contains two active ingredients: budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce inflammation, and formoterol, a long-acting bronchodilator to relax airways.
Not a rescue inhaler: Symbicort should not be used for immediate relief of sudden, severe breathing problems. A separate rescue inhaler is required for acute symptoms.
Proper usage is crucial: For best results and to minimize side effects like oral thrush, patients must use Symbicort regularly and rinse their mouth after each use.
Important safety information: Due to a boxed warning regarding LABAs, Symbicort should only be prescribed for asthma patients who require combination therapy. Adherence to prescribed usage is essential.
Reduces exacerbations: Clinical studies have shown that Symbicort can reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations in both asthma and COPD patients when used consistently.

Understanding Symbicort's primary applications

Symbicort is a prescription medication designed for the long-term management of specific chronic respiratory illnesses. It is not intended for the rapid relief of sudden breathing problems or acute flare-ups. The medication is formulated to deliver two active ingredients in one inhalation, providing both anti-inflammatory and bronchodilating effects directly to the lungs. This combined approach aids in preventing symptoms and reducing exacerbations over time.

The main conditions treated with Symbicort include asthma in patients aged 6 and older whose asthma is not controlled with an inhaled corticosteroid alone or requires combination therapy, and COPD in adults for maintenance treatment to improve airflow and reduce exacerbations. For more details on Symbicort's indications, refer to {Link: Symbicort website https://www.mysymbicort.com/}.

The dual-action mechanism of Symbicort

Symbicort contains two components: budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation, and formoterol, a long-acting beta-2 agonist that relaxes airway muscles to improve airflow. This combination provides both anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects.

Important usage and safety information

Symbicort should be used regularly as prescribed. Rinsing the mouth after each use can prevent oral thrush. Symbicort is not for sudden breathing problems, for which a rescue inhaler is needed. If breathing worsens or rescue inhaler use increases, contact a healthcare provider. Pediatric patients using inhaled corticosteroids should be monitored for growth.

Comparison of Symbicort and rescue inhalers

Understanding the difference between maintenance inhalers like Symbicort and immediate-relief rescue inhalers is important.


Feature	Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol)	Rescue Inhaler (e.g., Albuterol)
Purpose	Long-term, daily control of symptoms and prevention of flare-ups.	Immediate relief for sudden breathing problems.
Drug Type	Combination ICS and LABA.	Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA).
Onset of Action	Long-term control, not immediate relief. Full benefit may take weeks.	Works quickly, within minutes.
Usage Frequency	Regular schedule.	As-needed for sudden symptoms.

Potential side effects

Common side effects of Symbicort include headache, upper respiratory infection, and throat irritation. Serious side effects are also possible.

Boxed warning: Serious asthma-related events

LABAs like formoterol have a boxed warning about an increased risk of asthma-related death when used alone in asthma. Symbicort combines formoterol with an ICS, which reduces this risk. It is only for asthma when combination therapy is needed.

Conclusion

Symbicort is a maintenance therapy for certain adults and children with asthma and COPD, combining an anti-inflammatory and a bronchodilator to control symptoms and prevent exacerbations. It is not for acute relief; a rescue inhaler is required for that. Patients should follow their prescription and discuss side effects with their doctor. Additional detailed information on usage and safety can be found on {Link: DailyMed https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fafa4cf1-99c2-43d5-73ad-51f256de3be0}.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Symbicort is a maintenance inhaler, not a rescue inhaler. It is used for long-term daily treatment to prevent symptoms of asthma and COPD. You will need a separate, fast-acting rescue inhaler, like albuterol, to treat sudden breathing problems or acute attacks.

Symbicort is typically prescribed for regular use. It is important to use it consistently every day as prescribed, even if your symptoms are under control.

Both Symbicort and Advair are combination inhalers used for asthma and COPD, containing an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist. The primary difference lies in the specific active ingredients they contain. Symbicort uses budesonide and formoterol, while Advair uses fluticasone and salmeterol.

If you miss a dose of Symbicort, follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Do not take an extra dose to make up for the one you missed.

Yes, Symbicort is approved for the treatment of asthma in children as young as 6 years old. The appropriate treatment must be determined by a doctor.

Rinsing your mouth and spitting out the water after using Symbicort helps to reduce the risk of a fungal infection in the mouth and throat, known as oral thrush. This is an important step because the corticosteroid component can lead to this type of infection if not rinsed away.

Symbicort is not indicated for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) or for treating acute symptoms that arise during exercise. Patients needing immediate relief or EIB prevention should use a short-acting beta-2 agonist as prescribed.

If your breathing problems get worse, or you find yourself needing your rescue inhaler more often than usual, it is a sign that your asthma or COPD is deteriorating. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately for a re-evaluation of your treatment plan.