Combivent vs. Symbicort

Combivent (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) and Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) are inhalers used to treat and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, which includes bronchitis and emphysema).

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

Combivent is a combination of an anticholinergic bronchodilator and a selective beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator and Symbicort is a combination of a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

Side effects of Combivent and Symbicort that are similar include headache and nausea.

Side effects of Combivent that are different from Symbicort include dizziness, dry mouth, shaking (tremors), nervousness, or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

Side effects of Symbicort that are different from Combivent include throat irritation, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, back pain, stuffy nose, muscle or joint pain, or changes in your voice.

Both Combivent and Symbicort may interact with antidepressants, diuretics (water pills), or heart or blood pressure medications.

Combivent may also interact with bladder or urinary medicines, medications for Parkinson's disease; medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome; other bronchodilators, stimulants, ADHD medications, diet pills, or over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines.

Symbicort may also interact with antibiotics, antifungal medications, or MAO inhibitors.

Side effects of Combivent include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• dry mouth,
• shaking (tremors),
• nervousness, or
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

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).

Combivent (ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate) is an inhaler that is a combination of an anticholinergic bronchodilator and a selective beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator used to treat and prevent symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD which includes bronchitis and emphysema).

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.

Combivent may interact with bladder or urinary medicines, diuretics (water pills), heart or blood pressure medications, medications for Parkinson's disease or depression; medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome; other bronchodilators, stimulants, ADHD medications, diet pills, or over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

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 dose of Combivent Inhalation Aerosol is two inhalations four times a day.

For patients 12 years of age and older, the dosage of Symbicort is 2 inhalations twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart).