Symbicort Treatment of Asthma in Children Using Symbicort for treating asthma in children is not recommended. Discover what the studies say. Asthma is a chronic disorder of the respiratory system in which the airways become narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. Consequently, you start wheezing and feeling as if your chest has been pressed under some heavy weight. Though asthma can develop in anyone, it starts more commonly during childhood. The signs and symptoms of asthma in adults and children are almost the same, and so too are the treatment approaches. However, asthmatic children have to walk a different path when it comes to facing the problems of this long-term illness. Note that Asthma has no cure but treatments can make breathing easier, and help to reduce difficulties when performing daily tasks. Of the many asthma treatments, an inhaled medication called Symbicort which contains the long-acting beta agonist (LABA) Formoterol, and a corticosteroid Budesonide has been garnering attention for its effectiveness in controlling asthma symptoms and reducing hospitalizations due to Acute attacks of Asthma or Asthma flare up. Also Read: What Causes Asthma? And what is Asthma in Children? Though it's used as an effective asthma treatment for adults, the use of Symbicort is not recommended for children below twelve years of age. Symbicort for Children: Can you use this combination inhaler? The honest answer as of now would be “you cannot use Symbicort for your children”. Today we are exploring a frontier of science which has had little development. Here are the key findings based on what we have explored regarding the use of Symbicort in children with asthma: ● No study has yet attempted to determine the long term effects of Symbicort in this age group. ● A 26-week US study conducted among children aged 6 to 11 years has shown that the combination of Budesonide and Formoterol is as safe as budesonide alone, and the former is associated with greater clinical benefits. The study was published in the journal “Allergy and Asthma Proceedings”. Get details Here. However, this result in no way recommends the use of Symbicort for your children.
● Use of Formoterol and other similar agents of the class long-acting beta agonist (LABA) have been shown to increase the risk of death of asthma-associated complications. But the overall benefits are greater than the risks when medications like Symbicort are used as recommended. (Important: What Should I Know About Asthma Inhalers?) ● The US FDA has also asked the manufacturer of Symbicort to modify the labelling requirements to include the risks associated with LABA. Therefore, it is very essential that you understand the information on the Medication Guide for Symbicort. At the moment, the use of Symbicort for the treatment of asthma in children has not been approved. The best strategy would be to stick with the standard treatment guidelines and instructions from your child’s doctor. According to the guidelines by National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, “Asthma therapy should be regularly monitored and adjusted accordingly.” Research involving “kids with asthma” should be given high priority, owed to increased incidences and a greater burden on children. Want to learn more about treatment of Asthma in your children, or the use and side effects of Symbicort? Visit www.FindaTopDoc.com today. Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter