Using SYMBICORT

Formulary Status

Nationwide, over 80% of patients with prescription drug coverage pay a Tier 1 or Tier 2 copay.1‡

Use the free formulary status tool to quickly determine the formulary status of asthma controllers, including SYMBICORT, in your area.

Use Tool

Asthma Patient Support

Encourage your patients to sign up for appointment and refill reminders, air quality and pollen count alerts, and savings on prescription copays.

Learn

Benefits of prescribing SYMBICORT
for your patients with asthma

Delivers improved asthma control* as early as day 1 and over the long term3-4
Delivers improved lung function within 15 minutes† of the first dose and at subsequent doses3-4
Provides asthma control plus rapid onset at first and subsequent doses to help reassure patients that their medication is working
SYMBICORT does NOT replace fast-acting inhalers and should not be used to treat acute symptoms of asthma

Select a module below to view key information about SYMBICORT efficacy, safety, dosing, and patient profiles.

Efficacy data

Review measures of asthma control as demonstrated in clinical studies.

Review

Dosing information

Learn about dosing SYMBICORT.

Learn

Safety information

Learn about the most common side effects associated with SYMBICORT.

Learn

Patient profiles

Review which types of patients can benefit from SYMBICORT therapy.

Review

*In clinical studies (Study 1 and Study 2), asthma control was defined as the coprimary efficacy end points of the 12-hour-average postdose forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 2 and predose FEV1, averaged over 12 weeks. In addition, measures of asthma control included improvement in peak expiratory flow (PEF) and reduction in asthma symptoms and albuterol rescue use.

†Median time to onset of clinically significant bronchodilation (>15% improvement in FEV1).

‡Individual costs may vary by plan.

Indications and Important Safety Information, including boxed WARNING

SYMBICORT is indicated for the long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 12 years and older
SYMBICORT is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm and should not be initiated in patients during rapidly deteriorating or potentially life-threatening episodes of asthma
SYMBICORT is not indicated in patients whose asthma can be successfully managed by inhaled corticosteroids along with occasional use of inhaled short-acting beta₂-agonists
WARNING: Long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonists may increase the risk of asthma-related death. SYMBICORT should only be used for patients with asthma not adequately controlled on other asthma-controller medications (eg, low- to medium- dose inhaled corticosteroids) or whose disease severity clearly warrants initiation of treatment with two maintenance therapies. Data from a large placebo-controlled US study that compared the safety of another long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (salmeterol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. This finding with salmeterol may apply to formoterol (a long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist), one of the active ingredients in SYMBICORT (see WARNINGS in full Prescribing Information)
SYMBICORT does NOT replace fast-acting inhalers and should not be used to treat acute symptoms of asthma
SYMBICORT should not be used for transferring patients from systemic corticosteroid therapy. Particular care is needed for patients who are transferred from systemically active corticosteroids to inhaled corticosteroids. Deaths due to adrenal insufficiency have occurred in asthmatic patients during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to less systemically available inhaled corticosteroids
Patients who are receiving SYMBICORT should not use additional formoterol or other long-acting inhaled beta₂-agonists for any reason
SYMBICORT should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders. Some patients may experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate
SYMBICORT, like all medications containing sympathomimetic amines, should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders (especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension), untreated hypokalemia, thyrotoxicosis, convulsive disorders, and in patients who are unusually responsive to sympathomimetic amines
Long-term use of orally inhaled corticosteroids, such as budesonide, a component of SYMBICORT, may affect normal bone metabolism resulting in a loss of bone mineral density. In patients with major risk factors for decreased bone mineral content, such as tobacco use, advanced age, sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, family history of osteoporosis, or chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass (eg, anticonvulsants and corticosteroids), orally inhaled corticosteroids may pose an additional risk
Rare instances of glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and cataracts have been reported following the inhaled administration of corticosteroids, including budesonide, a component of SYMBICORT
Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, have been reported following the inhaled administration of corticosteroids, including budesonide, a component of SYMBICORT. In three placebo-controlled US clinical studies, the incidence of lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, was low, with no consistent evidence of increased risk with SYMBICORT, compared to placebo
SYMBICORT should be administered with caution to patients being treated with MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks or discontinuation of such agents
The most common adverse events ≥5% reported in clinical trials, regardless of relationship to treatment, included nasopharyngitis, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngolaryngeal pain, sinusitis, and stomach discomfort

Please see full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING.

This product information is intended for US Health Care Professionals only.

SYMBICORT is a registered trademark, AZ and Me is a trademark, and Measures of Success is a service mark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.

Fingertip Formulary is a registered trademark of Fingertip Formulary, L.L.C.

Legal Links | Legal Statement | Privacy Policy

Utilities | Site Map | Contact Us | US Corporate Site

Important Pages | Efficacy | Safety Profile | Dosing

Using SYMBICORT

Benefits of prescribing SYMBICORT for your patients with asthma

Indications and Important Safety Information, including boxed WARNING

Benefits of prescribing SYMBICORT
for your patients with asthma