Lortuss DM and Symbicort

• Generic Name: dextromethorphan / doxylamine / pseudoephedrine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Lortuss DM

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Doxylamine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Doxylamine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Lortuss DM will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Doxylamine, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: budesonide / formoterol
• Dosage Forms: aerosol
• Other Brand Names: Symbicort, Symbicort Turbuhaler, Symbicort 400/12 Turbohaler

Symbicort contains a combination of budesonide and formoterol. Budesonide is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the body. Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Symbicort is used to control and prevent the symptoms of asthma in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Symbicort is also used to help control the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Symbicort is not for use in treating an asthma or bronchospasm attack.

For people with asthma: Symbicort is for use only if asthma is severe or is not well-controlled on other long-term asthma medicines. Your doctor may tell you to stop using this medicine once your asthma is well-controlled.

Formoterol when used alone may increase the risk of death in people with asthma. However, this risk is not increased when budesonide and formoterol are used together as a combination product.