Atrovent vs. Symbicort

• Are Atrovent and Symbicort the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Atrovent?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Symbicort?
• What Is Atrovent?
• What Is Symbicort?
• What Drugs Interact with Atrovent?
• What Drugs Interact with Symbicort?
• How Should Atrovent Be Taken?
• How Should Symbicort Be Taken?

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) and Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) are inhalers used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

Symbicort is also used to prevent bronchospasm in people with asthma.

Atrovent HFA is a bronchodilator and Symbicort is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

Common side effects of Atrovent include:

• headache
• dry mouth
• hoarseness
• cough
• stuffy nose
• sinus pain
• nausea
• upset stomach
• constipation
• back pain
• fever
• chills
• body aches
• flu symptoms
• blurred vision, and
• dizziness

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Atrovent HFA including bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), eye pain, seeing halos around lights, pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual or not at all, or worsening of your symptoms.

Common side effects of Symbicort include:

• headache,
• throat irritation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• back pain,
• stuffy nose,
• muscle or joint pain, or
• changes in your voice.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Symbicort including:

• white patches on tongue or in mouth,
• signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat),
• mental/mood changes (such as nervousness),
• trouble sleeping,
• vision problems (such as blurred vision),
• increased thirst or urination,
• muscle cramps, or
• shaking (tremors).

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) is an anticholinergic bronchodilator, packaged in an inhaler, used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Atrovent HFA is available as a generic termed ipratropium bromide.

Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator used to prevent bronchospasm in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Symbicort combines an inhaled corticosteroid medicine, budesonide and a LABA medicine, formoterol.

• Inhaled corticosteroids help to decrease inflammation in the lungs. Inflammation in the lungs can lead to breathing problems.
• LABA medicines are used in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. LABA medicines help the muscles around the airways in your lungs stay relaxed to prevent symptoms such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can happen when the muscles around the airways tighten. This makes it hard to breathe. In severe cases, wheezing can stop your breathing and may lead to death if not treated right away.

Atrovent HFA may interact with other bronchodilators. Atrovent HFA may also interact with bladder or urinary medicines, cold or allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine, medications for Parkinson's disease, or medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Symbicort may interact with antibiotics, antifungal medication, MAO inhibitor, antidepressants, beta-blockers, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Symbicort should be used only when prescribed. Budesonide passes into breast milk. It is unknown if formoterol passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The usual starting dose of ATROVENT HFA is two inhalations four times a day. Patients may take additional inhalations as required; however, the total number of inhalations should not exceed 12 in 24 hours.

Do not use Symbicort unless your healthcare provider has taught you and you understand everything. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Use Symbicort exactly as prescribed. Do not use Symbicort more often than prescribed. Symbicort comes in 2 strengths. Your healthcare provider has prescribed the strength that is best for you. Note the differences between Symbicort and your other inhaled medications, including the differences in prescribed use and physical appearance.
• Children should use Symbicort with an adult's help, as instructed by the child's healthcare provider.
• Symbicort should be taken every day as 2 puffs in the morning and 2 puffs in the evening about 12 hours apart.
• If you miss a dose of Symbicort, you should take your next dose at the same time you normally do.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit the water out after each dose (2 puffs) of Symbicort. Do not swallow the water. This will help to lessen the chance of getting a fungus infection (thrush) in the mouth and throat.
• If you take too much Symbicort, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any unusual symptoms, such as worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, increased heart rate, or shakiness.
• Do not spray Symbicort in your eyes. If you accidentally get Symbicort in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water, and if redness or irritation persists, consult your healthcare provider.
• Do not change or stop any medicines used to control or treat your breathing problems. Your healthcare provider will change your medicines as needed.
• While you are using Symbicort 2 times each day, do not use other medicines that contain a LABA for anyreason. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if any of your other medicines are LABA medicines.
• Symbicort does not relieve sudden symptoms. Always have a rescue inhaler medicine with you to treat sudden symptoms. If you do not have a rescue inhaler, call your healthcare provider to have one prescribed for you.
• Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if:
• your breathing problems worsen with Symbicort.
• you need to use your rescue inhaler medicine more often than usual.
• your rescue inhaler medicine does not work as well for you at relieving symptoms.
• your peak flow meter results decrease. Your healthcare provider will tell you the numbers that are right for you.
• your symptoms do not improve after using Symbicort regularly for 1 week.