What is Symbicort weight gain? How can you manage it? Get the facts about this common side effect and learn effective strategies to address it.

What is Symbicort Weight Gain?

Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) is a prescription medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat asthma in adults and children ages 6 and older, as well as a maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) in adults. Like other medications, Symbicort can cause side effects, including weight gain.

Common Side Effects of Symbicort

Some of the more common side effects reported by people who took Symbicort in clinical trials include:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Upper respiratory infection (e.g., common cold or sinusitis)
• Nasal congestion
• Oral thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth)

Mild Side Effects of Symbicort

Mild side effects that have been reported with Symbicort use include:

• Back pain
• Stomach discomfort
• Nasal congestion
• Upper respiratory infection (e.g., common cold or sinusitis)
• Vomiting
• Bronchitis
• Mild oral thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth)
• Headache
• Mild allergic reaction

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if they persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects of Symbicort

Symbicort may also cause serious side effects, though these are rare and less likely to occur if the medication is taken as prescribed. Serious side effects include:

• Weakened immune system (symptoms can include frequent infections, fever, and low blood cell counts)
• Hypokalemia (low potassium level, with symptoms like muscle spasms, muscle weakness, fast heart rate, constipation, and dizziness)
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar, with symptoms like dizziness, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurry vision, and tiredness)
• Decreased bone density (symptoms can include brittle nails and increased likelihood of bone breaks)
• Adrenal gland suppression (symptoms can include tiredness, increased cortisol levels, and weight gain)
• Paradoxical bronchospasm (symptoms can include shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing)
• Eosinophilia (high levels of certain white blood cells, with symptoms like tiredness, chest pain, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, and difficulty breathing)
• Central nervous system issues (symptoms can include seizures, dizziness, nervousness, and tremor)
• Cardiovascular issues
• Pneumonia
• High blood pressure
• Serious oral thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth)
• Severe allergic reaction

If you experience any of these serious side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Symbicort Weight Gain in Children

Symbicort may cause similar side effects in both children and adults. Clinical trials showed that the most common side effects in children include headache, runny nose, and throat irritation (sore throat). A serious side effect of Symbicort in children is decreased growth. Your child’s doctor will monitor their growth during treatment with Symbicort. One way to reduce the risk of decreased growth is to use the lowest dose of Symbicort possible that manages your child’s condition.

Managing Symbicort Weight Gain

If you experience weight gain while taking Symbicort, there are a few things you can do to help manage it:

1. Talk to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication to help mitigate the weight gain.
2. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. A balanced diet and physical activity can help counteract any weight gain caused by Symbicort.
3. Monitor your weight closely. Weigh yourself regularly and track any changes so you can address them early on.

Key Takeaways

Symbicort, a medication used to treat asthma and COPD, can cause side effects including weight gain. While serious side effects are rare, it’s important to be aware of the potential for weight gain and take steps to manage it. Talk to your doctor, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and closely monitor your weight to address any Symbicort-related weight gain.