Symbicort® HFA

Instructions for use

1. Wash and dry your hands well.
2. Remove the mouthpiece cover and check for loose parts inside the mouthpiece.
3. Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds.
4. Prime the inhaler into the air away from your face if it is new or you have not used it for 7 days, or it has been dropped.
5. Sit up straight or stand up.
6. Hold the inhaler so the mouthpiece is at the bottom and the canister points upward. Fully exhale from your mouth.
7. Place the mouthpiece between your lips. Make sure that your tongue is flat under the mouthpiece and does not block the opening.
8. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece.
9. Push the canister all the way down as you begin to slowly take a deep breath over 5 seconds through your mouth.
10. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. If you cannot hold your breath for 10 seconds, then hold your breath for as long as possible.
11. Wait 30 seconds if you need another dose of medicine .
12. Repeat steps 3 to10 until you reach the dose prescribed by your doctor.
13. Rinse your mouth after the last puff of medicine or brush your teeth and spit the water out — do not swallow.
14. Replace the mouthpiece cover after each use. Store in a cool, dry place.

Key product details

Medication Class & Use

• Combination inhaler (maintenance inhaler, long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) and corticosteroid). This inhaler combines two medications that work over time to make breathing easier. Together the medications relax the muscles in your airway and decrease inflammation, swelling and mucus production.
• Use this inhaler every day to prevent symptoms, even when feeling well.
• Do not use for fast relief.
• Do not use in combination with other LABA containing medicines.

Dosing

• Usual COPD Dosing: 2 inhalations of 160/4.5 twice daily.
• Asthma dosing in patients >12 years: 2 inhalations twice daily of 80/4.5 or 160/4.5. Starting dosage is based on asthma severity.
• Available strengths: 80 mcg/4.5 mcg mcg per inhalation; 160mcg/4.5mcg per inhalation
• Each inhaler contains 120 doses (institutional pack = 60 doses).

Priming

• Priming: Spray twice before first use, if you have not used the inhaler in 7 days or if inhaler has been dropped.

Refill

• Dose counter is yellow for 20 or fewer doses. Inhaler is empty when dose counter reads 0.
• Discard inhaler 3 months after removing from foil pouch or when empty.

Cleaning

• Clean at least weekly. Remove mouthpiece cover and clean mouthpiece and sprayer inside with a clean, dry cloth. Do not get inhaler wet or try to take apart inhaler.

Safety Information

• Do not use with other LABA containing medicines for any reason.
• People with asthma who take long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines such as formoterol (one of the medicines in Symbiocort), have an increased risk of death from asthma problems. It is not known whether corticosteriods, the other medicine in Symbicort, reduces the risk of death from asthma problems seen with formoterol.