The use of compared drugs is unacceptable to children who have not reached the age of 6 years. When prescribing a particular medicine, check with your doctor if the prescribed dosage is right for you. Since there are no pictures of the correct use of the inhaler in the instructions for medicines, you must ask your doctor to explain the rules for use.
Since the same element is included in both medicines, it makes no sense to use both drugs together. But for many people who are treating, it is convenient to use them in turn, for example, at home it is more convenient for them to do inhalations using Pulmicort, and they use Symbicort Turbuhaler as a pocket inhaler.
These drugs are equally good, but Symbicort has many more contraindications, and Pulmicort is undesirable to use during pregnancy. Often Symbicort is attributed to the expensive analogue of Pulmicort. This is a stronger drug, before its use it is necessary to thoroughly study the instructions and side effects. Since this drug contains a considerable dose, then doctors usually prescribe it if Pulmicort is ineffective. The price of this rather expensive analog varies from 1300-2500 rubles, while the first medicine will cost you 3-4 times cheaper.
It is also worth noting that, according to the studies of experts and pulmonologist doctors, the Symbicort drug, namely budesonide and formoterol, relieves bronchial asthma attacks much faster and more efficiently, and it also reduces the occurrence of all possible risks associated with the appearance of new unwanted exacerbations. That is why it is prescribed by professional doctors when the patient does not notice an improvement when using Pulmicort.
In order to stop an attack of bronchial asthma using an inhaler, it is necessary to choose the most suitable and effective medication. Next, you will learn about two similar drugs, their applicability and side effects. Having studied the composition and contraindications, you can focus on the most suitable for you. Be careful and always read the instructions for the drugs.
Characterization of the drug “Symbicort”
Symbicort Turbuhaler is a combined drug for inhalation use against bronchodilator and inflammatory effects. This product is available in powder form, it is a small round granules of white color or close to white. They include micronized budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate, and its auxiliary component is lactose monohydrate.
Symbicort is used in cases of bronchial asthma as a preventive measure for attacks, as well as for further maintenance therapy. In addition, this tool is applicable for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) – the drug copes well against severe symptoms of this disease.
The following dosages of the Symbicort inhaler are:
- Micronized budesonide – 80 μg and 160 μg / 4.5 μg formoterol fumarate dihydrate.
- 320 mcg / 9 mcg, respectively.
Frequent side effects: candidiasis of the mucous membrane, as well as the entire oral cavity, hoarseness with cough, slight irritation in the pharynx, palpitations are strongly felt, headaches, tremors are manifested, and bruising is noticed.
Characterization of the drug “Pulmicort”
Pulmicort Turbuhaler is an inhaled glucocorticosteroid ( GCS ) in the form of a white powder for topical application. This powder is easily destroyed by clicking on it. It consists of only one component – budesonide. This remedy has a good anti-inflammatory effect. The earlier the patient is prescribed treatment for chronic bronchial asthma with budesonide, the greater the improvement in his lungs is expected.
Pulmicort is also applicable in cases of bronchial asthma and COPD. This medication gives a preventive effect on bronchial asthma, but does not provide a real treatment for the acute manifestations of this disease. Turbuhaler is a reusable inhaler that allows the patient to make small doses of the powder.
Pulmicort is available in the following dosages of budesonide:
- 200 doses of 100 mcg.
- 100 doses of 200 mcg.
- 200 doses of 200 mcg.
Common side effects include irritation of the mucous membrane and oral cavity, candidiasis of the oropharynx, hoarseness in the voice, and severe coughing.
Similarity between drugs
Both of these drugs, despite a considerable list of side effects and contraindications, have proven themselves in the pharmaceutical market on the positive side by many adults and even children. They cope well with bronchial asthma, obstructive diseases of the respiratory system and laryngotracheitis.
In addition, they relieve edema well and perfectly restore breathing in diseases such as allergic rhinitis, hay fever and various infectious diseases of the respiratory tract. The main substance in both medicines is the budesonide glucocorticosteroid, with its help there is a decrease in edema and mucus secretion, the cough and various hoarseness completely disappear.
As for Symbicort, it also includes an additional chemical element – formoterol, which instantly acts on the smooth muscles of the bronchi and quickly reduces the high severity of symptoms of existing diseases.
Two drugs have identical absolute contraindications, namely: they cannot be used for a person under 6 years of age and if the patient has hypersensitivity to any of the substances of the medication.
The apparent differences of drugs
The difference between Symbicort and Pulmicort is primarily in the forms of their release and methods of administration:
- Symbicort is made only in the form of a white powder, which is intended for use by inhalation, but it is not used in nebulizers.
- Pulmicort is also available in the form of a white powder, but, in addition, it has a variety in the form of a liquid. It should be used in a certain proportion with sodium chloride and used only in nebulizer inhalers.
The first medicine has much more relative contraindications for its use, it is not recommended for use or should be used with extreme caution for people who are sick: severe arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, aneurysm of any location, uncontrolled hypokalemia, pheochromocytoma. As well as those who suffer from idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, prolonged QT interval , severe heart failure, coronary heart disease and tachyarrhythmia.
Before using a particular tool, consult a specialist.
