Symbicort and Albuterol are both steroid medications used to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both are inhalation medications that help treat COPD symptoms.
Features
Symbicort is a combination of the steroids budesonide and formoterol, while Advair is a combination of the steroids fluticasone and salmeterol. Both are used to prevent bronchospasm (condition where airways suddenly tighten) in COPD sufferers.
Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, both medications can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, worsened bronchospasm, chest pain and nervousness.
Warning
Tell your doctor if you suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, seizures or a thyroid gland problem. All these conditions can affect the effectiveness of Symbicort and Advair, and lead to the aforementioned side effects.
Overdose
Excessive amounts of either of these medications can cause chest pain, tachycardia (fast heartbeat), seizures, headache, nausea and vomiting. In addition, a Symbicort overdose can lead to a runny nose, trouble breathing and fainting, says Drugs.com.
Use
Both medications should be used as your doctor prescribes. Do not use Symbicort or Advair to treat an asthma attack that has already commenced, warns Drugs.com.
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