Budesonide/formoterol

  Budesonide/formoterol is a combination formulation containing budesonide and formoterol used in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the EU. It is marketed by AstraZeneca under the trade name Symbicort. Symbicort in the United States is a pressurized metered-dose inhaler while in the EU, Australia and Canada, Symbicort is available as a dry-powder inhaler.

Symbicort contains two active ingredients which are delivered via a single inhaler:

• budesonide (Pulmicort), an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid
• formoterol (Oxis, Foradil), a rapid-acting and long-lasting bronchodilator

In Europe, Symbicort is available in three doses of 100/6, 200/6 and 400/12, where the larger number is the dose per actuation of budesonide (in micrograms) and the lower number the dose of formoterol. In the United States, Symbicort is available in 160/4.5mcg and 80/4.5mcg per actuation. Symbicort was introduced in Sweden in 2000 and is approved for use in at least 70 countries, yielding global sales in excess of $1 billion in 2005. It was not approved for use in the United States until July 2006.^[1]

Symbicort is the first combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting beta agonist (ICS/LABA) that has shown some efficacy as a medicine not only used to prevent asthma attacks, but also provide quick relief of an asthma attack.^[2][3] The use for quick relief has been approved by the GINA guidelines 2006 (Evidence A) however Symbicort is indicated in the United States only as a maintenance medication.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

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References

• Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) - Inhaled corticosteroid for maintenance treatment of asthma. AstraZeneca Respiratory Products. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (2006). Retrieved on 2006-11-19.

Notes

1. ^ Haber, Gary. "AstraZeneca banking on asthma inhaler", Delaware News-Journal (delawareonline), November 19, 2006. 
2. ^ Balanag, VM; Yunus F, Yang PC, Jorup C (April 2006). "Efficacy and safety of budesonide/formoterol compared with salbutamol in the treatment of acute asthma". Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 19 (2): 139–147. doi:10.1016/j.pupt.2005.04.009. PMID 16009588. Retrieved on 9 June 2006.
3. ^ Vogelmeier, C; D'Urzo A, Pauwels R, Merino JM, Jaspal M, Boutet S, Naya I, Price D (November 2005). "Budesonide/formoterol maintenance and reliever therapy: an effective asthma treatment option?". European Respiratory Journal 26 (5): 819–828. PMID 16264042.

See also

• Fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair), another combined inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting β₂-agonist

External links

• Information on Symbicort®, a new asthma medication that can help you take charge of your asthma. SYMBICORT helps control inflammation and keeps airways open.