Budesonide / formoterol for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2025

Budesonide / formoterol "I’ve had a few of the complaints others have mentioned, but I can’t blame everything on one medicine. I’ve had trouble clearing my throat and found gargling with diluted vinegar clears it up. Remember to rinse after using Symbicort to avoid that issue. I bruise terribly and easily tear my skin if I bump into something. It’s a side effect of any drug with steroids. Steroids control inflammation, helping, so it’s a necessary evil. Leg cramps. Have had those too, but I added more potassium, adding bananas to breakfast. I also added a protein shake at least once a day. Cramps are gone. Not sure what caused cramps. I wasn’t eating a good diet, so there’s that. My ears do ring, but I developed that from years of Zithromax. I only notice it when it’s very quiet. I usually listen to the Calm app at bedtime and no longer notice the slight high-pitched hum. I can tell within an hour or two if I miss a dose. Becomes harder to do anything. I’m stage 4 COPD, and this drug helps."

• JDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2018

Budesonide / formoterol "I have been diagnosed with a light case of COPD and prescribed Symbicort to help when I exert myself and have shortness of breath. Since taking this inhaler, I have been sick with pneumonia-like symptoms, hacking phlegm, charley horses in my lower calf, and lacking concentration and confusion with organizing my work. I am exhausted and my chest is burning. I have not felt this bad since I quit smoking 3 years ago when I had the worst flu of my life. So grateful to find this page. I thought I was losing my marbles at 55 years?"

• Gol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2013

Budesonide / formoterol "I have been using Symbicort for 8 months now. It has been a life changer for me. I was using my rescue inhaler at least 4 times a day previous to being put on Symbicort. I have only had to use it twice since starting on it. The only side effect I have had is that the past few months I have been woken up every night by very bad cramps in my feet and my calves."

• Bec...
• January 14, 2011

Budesonide / formoterol "This is the greatest thing that's happened in my life in the last year. I used to have to use my Ventolin inhaler 3-4 times a day. I have not used it since I started Symbicort! My last doctor wouldn't even let me try it. Glad I changed doctors. I can go up and down stairs without stopping, trying to breathe. My child even noticed the difference."

• Bil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2018

Budesonide / formoterol "This medication helps me, but the cost of this medication is ridiculous. I do not qualify for free prescriptions nor Medicaid. I cannot afford insurance and have a family to feed. The cheapest coupon I was able to find was $277.00. Tell me what average American family can actually afford that a month plus other meds? Pharmaceutical companies and AstraZeneca are making billions of dollars, all the while people are needlessly suffering due to the cost of your medication. That is what I call a crime against humanity."

• Pau...
• October 31, 2010

Budesonide / formoterol "Had tried Advair and one other inhaler and didn't do anything. Was using albuterol when needed (2-3 times a day). Doctor put me on Symbicort and had immediate relief. Only take 2 puffs in the morning and set for the day. No side effects yet (4 weeks). Hopefully it will continue to work on my COPD."

• Sta...
• August 31, 2017

Budesonide / formoterol "I was diagnosed with asthma and COPD and was given Symbicort. First, I lost my voice, then I would get constant leg cramps at night, then I started to lose weight. I went to see my new doctor, by the way, my previous doctor sent me to have my throat examined for any problems, and all came out OK. My new doctor asked me, 'Who told you you got COPD?' My previous doctor. She asked did I have a lung test, and I said no. Then, she told me to quit Symbicort, get a chest X-ray, a full lung test, and a complete blood scan, which came back normal. Now it's been over a week since I stopped Symbicort, and I am breathing normal, don't cough, got my appetite back, and don't use my rescue inhaler, which I seldom used. Get a complete lung test before taking Symbicort."

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2013

Budesonide / formoterol "Experienced some dizziness at first, then felt a nervousness or anxiety feeling inside for several hours after the dosage. First time using this medication, and need more time on it to be sure of these problems. Was taking Advair previously with no effects (except better breathing ability)."

• hap...
• March 26, 2015

Budesonide / formoterol "I was first prescribed Spiriva for my COPD, and after about a month, I saw no change and was using my rescue inhaler 3-4 times a day. My doctor then prescribed Symbicort 5 weeks ago, and I haven't had to use my rescue inhaler at all since. It has really improved my quality of life! The only side effect I've noticed is my throat is a little hoarse. I'm happy!"

• pet...
• July 7, 2018

Budesonide / formoterol "This has been a horror to myself and my family. It makes me feel sick all the time and has caused some serious bouts with pneumonia. I must get off of this. I absolutely cannot handle this 'medicine' any longer."

• 1ha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 8, 2018

Budesonide / formoterol "Before starting Symbicort, my lung function was 43%. Two weeks into using Symbicort, my lung function went up to 74%, a true blessing. The only side effect I had was thrush. I found that eating kefir yogurt with probiotics did the trick, my throat is fine. Symbicort is amazing."

• Tro...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 14, 2016

Budesonide / formoterol "7 years ago... had a PE... immediately diagnosed with COPD. First med was SYMBICORT and then added SPIRIVA... Still on SYMBICORT, but now combined with TUDORZA. Amazing results in a month... SYMBICORT thins the skin and I bruise very easily... that would be my only issue..."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2019

Budesonide / formoterol "I have been on Symbicort just over a week for COPD, and I have not felt this well in a very long time. As soon as I took my first breath after the first dose, I felt like I could 'breathe' again. I have not had to use my albuterol inhaler at all. In fact, I have peripheral neuropathy, and I pray it's not my imagination that my feet even feel better. I hope I do not face side effects, my only concern is my BP, but I am not checking for a while to allow my body to adjust fully. In fact, if it does up my BP, I don't care because I feel better."

• noo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2019

Budesonide / formoterol "Ok, I could not afford this medicine, so I signed up for free or reduced price on their site. I filled the application out, and the doctor sent in info as well. Three weeks turned into a month, then a month was turning into two months. I had called them and asked what the problem was. They said everything I sent in was fine. She said she was getting it in order to be reviewed, and she would call me back the next day. I said, are you sure? She said, 'Yes, I promise I'll call you back the next day.' I never heard from them. She never called back. Many times I spent up to six hours just waiting on the phone to talk to someone. The next day, same thing. Over and over again, I would call and wait up to five to six hours for someone to call back, never got a return call. I believe they just want your info, cause I can't find any other reason."

• kim...
• April 28, 2015

Budesonide / formoterol "I unfortunately did not have the same experience as the rest. Day 1 was great, I thought finally I can breathe without struggling. Day 2 was using my rescue inhaler. So upset, so tired of trying to find something to work."

• Lpi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2017

Budesonide / formoterol "Was put on this one while in the hospital with exacerbation. It did not work at all, and my regular drug of Advair was not supplied from the hospital pharmacy. I had to get special permission to bring in my Advair for administration from the nurses by the hospital. Ineffective, and my breathing was improved once I got my regular med back."

• Fer...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 3, 2025

"Symbicort Turbuhaler works great for COPD flare-ups against using nebulizer with Ventolin & Bisolvon and was satisfactorily using Symbicort Turbuhaler as my only maintenance aids for almost 5 years since 2019. Bravo!"

• tmf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2016

Budesonide / formoterol "I asked my pulmonary doctor if I could try Symbicort. She gave me a 2-week sample, and almost immediately, I started wheezing, and I saw no improvement and went back to my previous medication."

• Jac...
• January 7, 2016

Budesonide / formoterol "The dosage of 160/4.5 makes me very, very nervous."

• Aly...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 5, 2020

Budesonide / formoterol "Good for breathing. Twice daily. 300 mcg. Only side effect is the occasional muscular cramps."