This article describes possible interactions with Symbicort. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
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Other drugs and Symbicort
The drugs in the list below may interact with Symbicort. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Symbicort.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with Symbicort include:
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When to avoid Symbicort
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with Symbicort. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe Symbicort in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for Symbicort:
- Sudden asthma attacks, or COPD that needs intense treatment: If you have severe asthma, sudden asthma attacks, or COPD that needs intense treatment, using Symbicort may not manage your symptoms.
- Past allergic reaction to Symbicort: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Symbicort, using it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start using Symbicort, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should use Symbicort.
Alcohol and Symbicort
Symbicort isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while using Symbicort.
Other interactions and Symbicort
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether Symbicort has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with Symbicort.
Symbicort and supplements
Before using Symbicort, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Symbicort interactions with herbs
Symbicort may interact with echinacea. This herb is often used to strengthen the immune system.
Using Symbicort and taking echinacea can make Symbicort less effective.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking echinacea while using Symbicort.
Symbicort interactions with vitamins
Symbicort isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamins while using Symbicort.
Symbicort and food
Certain foods may interact with Symbicort. These may include:
Symbicort and caffeine can both cause heart-related side effects, such as a fast heart rate. Taking them together can further increase your risk of these side effects.
Consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice with Symbicort can increase the levels of Symbicort in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects from Symbicort. Due to this risk, doctors typically recommend avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice while using this medication.
If you take Symbicort with echinacea, an interaction could occur that lowers the level of the drug in your body. This may make Symbicort less effective for your condition. For this reason, doctors may recommend avoiding echinacea tea while using Symbicort.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while using Symbicort.
Symbicort and vaccines
Symbicort isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while using Symbicort.
Symbicort and lab tests
Symbicort isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any lab tests performed while using Symbicort.
Symbicort and cannabis or CBD
Studies of cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products have been shown to interact with Symbicort. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Using Symbicort with cannabis may affect the levels of Symbicort in your body. If the levels increase too much, you can be at higher risk of side effects. If the levels decrease too much, Symbicort may be less effective.
Before you use Symbicort, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and Symbicort
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with Symbicort. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before using Symbicort, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Symbicort is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with Symbicort:
*To learn more about this, see the “When to avoid Symbicort” section above.
Preventing Symbicort interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with Symbicort. Before using this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while using Symbicort.
Using Symbicort exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about Symbicort and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Could I still use Symbicort if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Should I take my medications at different times to avoid interactions?
- Do other drugs that treat my condition have similar interactions?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
