Symbicort (Budesonide/Formoterol)

Asthma (including MART regimen), and COPD maintenance therapy.

Budesonide controls airway inflammation. Formoterol relaxes airway muscles - and unlike salmeterol, it works within minutes, making it suitable for both regular prevention and on-demand relief. The MART approach means one inhaler does both jobs.

Adults and adolescents with asthma, particularly suited to the MART approach where a single inhaler replaces separate preventer and reliever. Also adults with COPD. Available as Turbohaler (dry powder).

Order online and we review your request. A prescriber checks your consultation form for clinical appropriateness and contacts you if anything else is needed. Once approved, your medication is dispensed and delivered to your door.

Tracked: Tracked delivery, arrives tomorrow - Free

When it arrives: Every order is sent tracked. Where this page says in post today, it goes out today. Where it says in post tomorrow, it goes out the next working day. On the rare occasions a medicine is unavailable, we will contact you to talk about timing and alternatives.

We dispense clinically equivalent generic medications where available. Prices shown are for the generic version. If you prefer the branded version, let us know in your order form and we will confirm any price difference.

Symbicort from £54.99 per inhaler.

SABA (salbutamol): tremor, headache, palpitations, muscle cramps. ICS (beclometasone, fluticasone, budesonide): oral thrush (candidiasis), hoarseness - rinse mouth after each use. LABA (formoterol, salmeterol): tremor, palpitations, headache. High-dose ICS: bruising, adrenal suppression.

LABA: must not be used without an ICS in asthma (monotherapy increases risk of asthma death). Tiotropium: hypersensitivity to atropine derivatives.

Beta-blockers: may reduce effectiveness of salbutamol and other beta-agonists - avoid non-selective beta-blockers in asthma. Potassium-depleting diuretics: increased risk of hypokalaemia with high-dose beta-agonists.

Salbutamol and ICS: can be used in pregnancy - uncontrolled asthma is more dangerous than the medications. Do not stop preventer inhalers during pregnancy. Compatible with breastfeeding.

For MART: use 1 inhalation twice daily as maintenance, plus additional inhalations as needed for symptoms (maximum usually 8 inhalations daily). Rinse mouth after regular doses. Same side effects as other ICS/LABA combinations. The MART approach is only licensed for certain strengths - your doctor will advise.