symbicort and weight gain

KathleenL over a year ago

I have been using Symbicort for three months and have noticed my hair is thinning quite a lot. I can only put this down to Symbicort. As a woman I find this hair loss quite distressing. I am going to phone my asthma specialist tomorrow to see if I can discontinue the Symbicort. It's a shame really as the drug has given me great relief from my asthma however the thought of losing any more hair will stop me from using it.

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Guest over a year ago

Been using symbicort for 3 years now and have definitely noticed an increase in appetite and subsequent weight gain

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lovingangel over a year ago

Budesonide belongs to a family of medicines called corticosteroids. In a lot of people it will increase appetite, Weight gain is one of the side effects that is listed on the manufactures leaflet. website below. This feels also not as necessarily hunger but a need to eat as I have experienced this as well. Hence the weight gain. Try picking foods with less calorie intake, fruits, vegetables rather than fast food, crisps, chocolates etc. You know what is good or not. But if you are eating more often only makes sense to eat very low calorie foods to help not put those extra kg/pounds on. If possible get out of where the food is and your mind active with other interests.

Also increase your water as in some other asthma meds they have Mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone control electrolyte and water levels, mainly by promoting sodium retention in the kidney, more water will help in flushing this out.

Manufactures information: If you take Symbicort Turbuhaler while you have an infection, the medicine may hide some of the signs of an infection. This may make you think, mistakenly, that you are better or that it is not serious.

Just to note: Symbicort 400/12 is not recommended to be used as "reliever" medication. Do not take more than 2 inhalations twice a day of Symbicort Turbuhaler 400/12. This is the site for their information:

***edited by moderator*** web addresses not allowed

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Guest over a year ago

when i started taking it i weighed 110. now i weight 135 and i've changed nothing else in my diet or excersize. I'm certain it was the symbicort.

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Guest over a year ago

I have gained 30lbs. since starting this a year ago,but every time I try to go off I have a bad time breathing. Every time I talk to the doctor about the weight gain they say it's not the Symbicort. I beg to differ. When I am off for a few days I start looking less swollen I am going to ask for a different med.

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Guest over a year ago

I have been on symbicort for years and have not gained any weight. Sorry but weight gain is NOT a side effect for symbicort.

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Guest over a year ago

Thank you for all your posts. I have never before had an issue with my weight, even when I could not exercise due to breathing issues. After being put on the Symbicort, I have put on heaps of wight and most of it belly fat. (Over 15 pounds) This happened rather rapidly, (within a few weeks to 3 months). I was worrying about it until I read all your posts and found I am not alone. Since the Symbicort is only giving me mild relief, I will stop it and go on to Ventolin, which does help me breath much better. Maybe this only happens with some people, but at least I know I am not alone.

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Guest over a year ago

I have been on Symbicort for 3 1/2 yrs twice daily. I gained 46 pounds in 6 months! My face, hands, legs, and feet swell so bad it becomes painful. I stopped taking the Symbicort for 1 month and lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks. I was so excited to share with my doctor when I was told that my lung disease is too bad and I have to continue taking Symbicort. It's been 1 week back on the inhaler and my uncontrolled cravings are back along with the swelling. What do I do??? I have to breath to live but I can't breath if I get too fat!!! I'm wearing out my elliptical and can't loose a pound to save my life!

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Guest over a year ago

I wish i could gain weight....i am on sprivia and symbicort...... i can't not gain weight.... also i have noticed since being on symbicort when i hit my arm on the slightest thing i get a blood spot.... i read that this drug can cause thinning of the skin....... has this happened to you?? I am thinking of discontinuing the symbicort and just using the spirvia and ventollin for now on..... was wonder tho if anyone else had this weight gain problem and this thinning of the skin???

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harley883 over a year ago

I have had trouble with hair loss, dramatic hair loss, I would say over 75% of my hair volume has gone in 4 months, the GP has tested my thyroid function and this is within normal ranges, there can be no other reason for this, I have also had weight gain, about 20 lbs in 4 months, I have been plagued with colds, chest infections a constant hoarse voice and I feel that my breathing is worse in the mornings and evenings but this could just be due to the chest infections that I keep getting. After reading some information about other peoples symtoms I am seeing my GP tomorrow with the intention of coming off Symbicort.. It cannot be coinsidence!!

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gigi9909 over a year ago

Hello All....I think that using either Advair or Symbicort (both of which are corticosteroids) may cause a little weight gain in SOME people. One will not see that with the rescue inhalers, but both corticosteroids are much more powerful and are used proactively to PREVENT asthma attacks. After being on ADVAIR for at least 10-15 years, I have continued to have increased phlegm productions, bronchial/sinue infections, UNrelaxed airways and also needed PREDNISONE (there's weight gain for sure!) every other month......but........

HELLO--------SYMBICORT----my love ! From the first time that I have used this medicine my airways felt relaxed and open (the first time! ) ---like a person without asthma..(I remember now ! ) Already, I feel so differently and have always suspected things regarding Advair such as the infectcions/mucus. What a wonderful feeling to be able to breate and have a relaxed airway. I am utterly amazed that my previous doctor never suggested a switch---at least to experiment ! With less mucus production, I can now look forward to less Prednisone use---possibly even NEVER-----I now have HOPE. I have truly suffered from asthma and from being put on Prednisone every other month. It was a vicious cycle. It has become crystal clear to me that Advair the ultimate culprit ! I would question my doctor, but alas, he never prescribed a change. Enter my second opinion--and this new doctor changed my life and way of breathing in ONE day...along with more tests and proclaimed that I will not be on Prednisone like I have been---ONLY as a last resort---NOT common useage ! :-)

If you have been on Advair and have never tried Symbicort, please give it a try. For many people, I believe that you will feel the best that have felt in years ! Count me VERY HAPPY TO HAVE FOUND SYMBICORT ! ! ! Would love to hear others' thoughts !

Happy breathing ! gigi ~~~

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Guest over a year ago

I used symbicort for 2 weeks....gained 7 lbs...mostly belly fat....couldnt sleep....shaky hands...constant headache.....and runny nose.....im so glad i found this....i thought i was going crazy....didnt change eating habits.....extra thirsty.....my breathing is worse now....very short of breath and weak....my dr thinks im too critical about medications...but hello i was right....good luck to everyone....i hope to find a med that helps....im a teacher and school starts soon.....dont think ill be able to walk so much im so short of breath...

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itstrue over a year ago

oh yeah its true gained 20 lbs... feel bloated all the time.... not poopin right....need to get off this stuff

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dbschools over a year ago

Do you have an update? Have you had your baby?

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margaret over a year ago

My skin is so thin I not only bruise he littlest scape rips my skin