Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler contains budesonide 160 mcg and formoterol 4.5 mcg per dose in a dry powder inhalation device. It’s used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Key Features

How does Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler work?

Formoterol (Long-acting beta-2 agonist)

• Smooth muscles relaxation in airways: Formoterol relaxes the airway smooth muscles, facilitating easy breathing.
• Increased airflow: By opening up airways, Formoterol enhances airflow through the lungs, removing wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath symptoms.

Budesonide (Corticosteroid)

• Decreases inflammation: Budesonide lowers airway inflammation and swelling, which minimizes symptoms and prevents exacerbations.
• Decreases mucus production: By lowering inflammation, Budesonide also reduces production of mucus, facilitating easier breathing.

Combination Therapy

Formoterol and Budesonide combination in Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler acts synergistically to:

• Control symptoms: Formoterol’s bronchodilator properties and Budesonide’s anti-inflammatory properties control wheezing, cough, and breathlessness symptoms.
• Prevention of exacerbations: Through the alleviation of inflammation and enhancement of lung function, Symbicort prevents exacerbations and enhances patients’ quality of life for respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Uses

• Asthma: Maintenance therapy for patients with asthma who need bronchodilator and corticosteroid treatment.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Maintenance therapy for patients with COPD, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Dosage

Typically, 2 puffs twice a day. Dosage may be adjusted according to the condition of the patient and response to treatment.

Interactions

• Beta-blockers: Reduce effectiveness of Symbicort.
• Ketoconazole: Increase level of Budesonide.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Increase cardiovascular risk. 

Pharmacokinetics

• Formoterol: Absorbed quickly, with maximum effects within 1-3 hours.
• Budesonide: Also absorbed quickly, with maximum effects within 1-2 hours.

Side Effects

• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Muscle cramps

Rare, but serious side effects are:

• Allergic reactions
• Increased heart rate
• Changes in blood pressure

How to use?

1. Shake the inhaler: Shake the inhaler thoroughly before each use.
2. Breathe out: Breathe slowly, away from the inhaler.
3. Inhale: Put the mouthpiece between your lips and breathe in slowly.
4. Activate the inhaler: Press the inhaler while inhaling to release the medicine.
5. Hold breath: Hold the breath from 5-10 seconds.
6. Rinse mouth: Rinse your mouth with water after use.

Important information

• Use Symbicort according to your doctor’s prescription.
• Usually applied twice a day, in the morning and at night.
• Use the dosage and directions recommended.
• If you are unsure or have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Clinical Trial

• VATHOS Trial: A 24-week randomised clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of budesonide and formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler in adults and adolescents with poorly controlled asthma. The trial concluded that use of the two drugs was superior to either drug alone in improving lung function and relieving symptoms.
• SMART Therapy: A study has proved that the administration of a single inhaler for budesonide-formoterol as reliever and maintenance can reduce severe asthma exacerbations than traditional treatment.
• Pediatric Studies: There have also been studies on how effective budesonide-formoterol is in children with mild asthma, demonstrating its ability to stop asthma attacks but with a similar safety profile to salbutamol.

Precautions

• Asthma exacerbations: Do not use with acute symptoms; instead, use a rescue inhaler.
• COPD exacerbations: Watch for worsening symptoms.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Apply cautiously under medical surveillance.
• Cardiovascular conditions: Observe for elevated heart rate and blood pressure.

Conclusion

Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler is a combination drug having Formoterol and Budesonide, and it is applied to treat asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s a corticosteroid and bronchodilator combination drug where Formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) medication and Budesonide is a corticosteroid medication and is prescribed for its anti-inflammatory properties. It relaxes the muscles of airways and decreases inflammation. Use on a regular basis can control the condition, avoid exacerbations, and enhance lung function.

FAQs

• What is Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler used for?

Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler is a drug combination of Formoterol and Budesonide formulated to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• How does Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler work?

Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler relaxes the airway smooth muscles, facilitating easy breathing, by widening the airways, Formoterol increases lung airflow, alleviating symptoms such as wheezing, cough, and breathlessness.

• What can be the common side effects?

The common side effects can occur like coughing, sore throat, runny nose, headache, Muscle cramps.

• Is Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler safe for everyone?

Yes, it is safe for everyone, but it is recommended to use after consulting a physician or doctor.

• How to use Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler?

Symbicort 160 Turbuhaler is used 1-2 puffs twice a day, by shaking the inhaler, breathing out, inhaling deeply while activating the inhaler.

References

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7708267/

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Formoterol