Symbicort provides the inhaled corticosteroid budesonide (Pulmicort) and the rapid and long-acting bronchodilator formoterol (Oxis) in a single inhaler (Turbuhaler).

Symbicort is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children aged 6 years and above, where the combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta ₂- agonist is appropriate. Symbicort is the only inhaled steroid/bronchodilator combination inhaler that enables asthma patients to adjust their dose to control the natural variations in their disease.

Symbicort received European Mutual Recognition for the treatment of asthma in December 2000 and is now approved as an asthma treatment in almost 80 countries worldwide.

In February 2003, Symbicort received European Mutual Recognition for the treatment of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a history of repeat exacerbations, whose disease cannot be controlled using long-acting bronchodilators alone. Symbicort was the first combination inhaler to achieve this important indication.