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The Daily Insight

What is the mechanism of action of Symbicort?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on April 04, 2026

Symbicort’s mechanism of action Budesonide is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that works by reducing and preventing respiratory tract inflammation, while formoterol is a long-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilator (LABA) that decreases resistance in the respiratory airway and increases airflow to the lungs.

What is the chemical name for Symbicort?

Budesonide/formoterol, sold under the brand name Symbicort among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication used in the management of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains budesonide, a steroid and formoterol, a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA).

What are the side effects of too much Symbicort?

SYMBICORT may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Using too much of a LABA medicine may cause chest pain, fast and irregular heartbeat, tremor, increased blood pressure, headache or nervousness.
  • Fungal infection in your mouth or throat (thrush).
  • Pneumonia and other lower respiratory tract infections.

What is albuterol mechanism of action?

Mechanism of Action Albuterol acts on beta-2 adrenergic receptors to relax the bronchial smooth muscle. It also inhibits the release of immediate hypersensitivity mediators from cells, especially mast cells.

How is Symbicort excreted?

In that study, 62% Page 7 NDA 21-929/S-010 Page 9 of the radiolabeled formoterol was excreted in the urine while 24% was eliminated in the feces. The primary metabolism of formoterol is by direct glucuronidation and by O-demethylation followed by conjugation to inactive metabolites.

Is Symbicort a systemic corticosteroid?

Symbicort is a combination inhaler that contains two medicines: a corticosteroid (“steroid”) known as budesonide that reduces lung inflammation, and a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve your breathing.

Is Symbicort an anticholinergic?

Spiriva Inhalation Powder is an anticholinergic drug and Symbicort is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

Can Symbicort cause bruising?

It turns out, that it’s been long noted that increased skin bruising, or “skin thinning”, is a side effect of higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids (over 1000 micrograms [mcg] daily).

What chemical is in inhalers?

Chemicals used in inhalers included ammonia, chlorine, iodine, tar, balsams, turpentine camphor and numerous others in combinations.

Does albuterol cause muscle twitching?

SIDE EFFECTS: Nervousness, shaking (tremor), headache, mouth/throat dryness or irritation, changes in taste, cough, nausea or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Is SYMBICORT a systemic corticosteroids?

Symbicort (generic name: budesonide and formoterol) contains an inhaled corticosteroid (“steroid”) known as budesonide to reduce inflammation in the lungs, but also contains a medicine known as formoterol. Formoterol is a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Patient was educated on Symbicort and its mechanism of action as follows: Symbicort is a combination inhaler medication of Formoterol, a long acting bronchodilator and Budesonide, a steroid. The steroid Budesonide reduces the release of chemical mediators of inflammation and reduce the swelling of the airways.

When should sysymbicort be taken with antidepressants?

Symbicort should be administered with caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of such agents, because the action of formoterol, a component of Symbicort, on the vascular system may be potentiated by these agents.

What are the strengths of sysymbicort inhalers?

SYMBICORT is available as a metered-dose inhaler containing a combination of budesonide (80 or 160 mcg) and formoterol (4.5 mcg) as an inhalation aerosol in the following two strengths: 80/4.5 and 160/4.5. Each dosage strength contains 60 or 120 actuations per/canister.

Does Symbicort contain formoterol?

This finding with salmeterol may apply to 31 formoterol (a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist), one 32 of the active ingredients in SYMBICORT (see 33 WARNINGS). 34 35 DESCRIPTION 36 SYMBICORT 80/4.5 and SYMBICORT 160/4.5 each 37 contain micronized budesonide and micronized 38 formoterol fumarate dihydrate for oral inhalation only.