Pulmicort vs Symbicort
 | Pulmicort |  | Symbicort |  |
| Budesonide is used to control and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It works directly in the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. This medication must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work immediately and should not be used to relieve sudden asthma attacks. If an asthma attack occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat lung diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema. | This product is used to control and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma or ongoing lung disease (such as COPD). It contains 2 medications: budesonide and formoterol. Budesonide belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids. It works by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways. Formoterol belongs to the class of drugs known as long-acting beta agonists. It works by opening airways in the lungs to make breathing easier. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school. This medication must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work immediately and should not be used to relieve sudden asthma attacks. If an asthma attack occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler (such as albuterol, also called salbutamol in some countries) as prescribed. | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Pulmicort review I didnt use my rescue inhaler or nebulizer nearly as much when taking this medicine but boy oh boy were the side effects horrible! After taking two puffs each day for about 2-3 months, I started to notice that my vision was extremely blurry. I would also have the worst mood swings that I would blame on PMS but it would last much much longer. I've also gained weight and couldnt understand why. (Before Pulmicort, I was doing prednisone and Advair, resp.) Ugh! I also have the BP issue when I start this drug. My Dr. also tells me to keep taking it instead of looking at alternatives. Even after my BP was extremely high and he wanted me to start another med for the BP. I stopped the Pulmicort instead and my next visit (a week later) my BP dropped to 120/80. He still wanted me to take this medication as my breathing was worse! I refuse to take it more then once a day and only in the Spring and Summer when my symptoms worsen! By the way I have more then one Pharmacist tell me thay yes the medication can increase BP!!! taking this medication for occasional flareups of my asthma which seem to be pretty bad as of recent. much more effective than albuterol treatments. ive noticed my appetite has increased significantly no weight gain but then again i work out fairly regularly. im also experiencing random joint pain. (ankle and shoulder) the fatigue is pretty annoying. even with these side effects i will pick pumicort over albuterol any day. it effectively relieves chest tightness and bronchospasms way better than any other treatment ive tried. | Add Symbicort review I have been an asthmatic for 40 years. I have been on every medication you can imagine. The last inhaler that I was using was Advair. I noticed that I was using my rescue inhaler every night due to shortness of breath even though I was taking the Advair regularly. My Doctor switched me to Symbicort 160/4.5 four months ago. I was feeling really weird when I took 2 puffs twice a day. I felt that it was too strong. I started to take one puff in the morning with a spacer. I noticed that one puff was all that I needed. All that I can say is that "Symbicort has changed my life" I have not used my rescue inhaler in months. Sometimes I forget to carry it with me. I am exercising, walking, and running up steps without getting shortness of breath. I joined a gym and I am on the elliptical for 30 minutes without any problems. I use the exercise bike too. My next venture is to take an exercise class. I am a 55 year old woman. I am feeling vibrant and not afraid of life because I use to let my asthma control everything that I wanted to do. I haven't felt this good in many years. I've been using Symbicort for 4 years and have had good results. Before I was taking it, I had bad nocturnal asthma and was waking up to use my rescue inhaler all the time. I was also using my rescue inhaler during the day. I had to stop running because I couldn't breathe. When I started using Symbicort (and Singulair), I stopped waking up at night and didn't have problems during the day. I was able to start running again. I haven't had any noticeable side-effects from it. concerned about weight gain. Breathing is fine I didn't know I had asthma till the doctor ordered a pulmonary breathing test. It worked quickly and effectively however it makes me dizzy and tired after use, has also ocassionaly caused headaches or migraines. i recommend not driving after using symbicort if you get the same problems. | |||
