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Advair vs. Symbicort

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Advair

(fluticasone / salmeterol)

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Symbicort

(budesonide / formoterol)

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Summary for Advair

Prescription only

Advair is a combination inhaler that contains fluticasone (an inhaled corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a long-acting beta agonist, or LABA). Advair Diskus is used for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in adults and children, where as Advair HFA is for asthma only. Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol) is inhaled through the mouth, typically 1 to 2 puffs twice daily. Some common side effects of this medication include upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, and headache.

Indications for Advair

  • Maintenance treatment of asthma
  • Maintenance treatment of COPD - Advair Diskus 250/50 only

Pros and Cons for Advair

Pros

  • Works well to lower the risk of asthma or COPD symptoms
  • Combines two medications into a single inhaler for convenience
  • Available as two different types of inhalers (Advair Diskus and Advair HFA)

Cons

  • Can cause fungal infections (thrush) in your mouth and throat
  • Advair Diskus contains lactose, so it might not be safe for people with severe milk protein allergies
  • Doesn't replace your rescue inhaler

Common Side Effects for Advair

Advair Diskus:

  • Upper respiratory infection (up to 27%)
  • Sore throat (up to 13%)
  • Headache (up to 13%)
  • Bronchitis (up to 8%)
  • Cough (up to 6%)
  • Nausea and vomiting (up to 6%)
  • Hoarseness (up to 5%)

Advair HFA:

  • Upper respiratory infection (up to 24%)
  • Headache (up to 21%)
  • Throat irritation (up to 9%)
  • Muscle and bone pain (up to 7%)
  • Nausea and vomiting (up to 5%)

Warnings for Advair

  • Not for use in asthma attack or for worsening breathing
  • Fungal infection in the mouth
  • Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
  • Higher risk of infections
  • Altered stress hormone levels
  • Delayed growth in children
  • Eye and vision problems
  • Heart problems
  • Low potassium levels in the blood
  • Allergic reactions

Summary for Symbicort

Prescription only

Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) is a combination inhaler used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two medications: budesonide, a steroid, and formoterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). Both medications work together to reduce inflammation in the lungs and open up your airways. The typical dose is two puffs by mouth twice a day, usually about 12 hours apart. Common side effects include common cold symptoms, headache, and sore throat.

Indications for Symbicort

Pros and Cons for Symbicort

Pros

  • Long-term treatment for both COPD and asthma
  • Might feel relief in as soon as 15 minutes for asthma
  • Safe for children 6 years and older for asthma
  • Combines two medications into one inhaler for convenience

Cons

  • Won't work well for asthma attacks or COPD flare ups
  • Can cause thrush in mouth or throat as a side effect
  • Taken 2 times a day
  • Possible bone loss if used for a long time

Common Side Effects for Symbicort

Asthma:

  • Common cold symptoms (10-11%)
  • Upper respiratory tract infection (8-11%)
  • Headache (7-11%)
  • Sore throat (6-9%)
  • Sinus infection (5-6%)

COPD:

  • Common cold symptoms (7%)
  • Oral thrush (6%)
  • Bronchitis (5%)

Warnings for Symbicort

  • Worsening asthma or COPD
  • Overdose
  • Oral thrush
  • Pneumonia
  • Higher risk of infection
  • Changes in stress hormone levels
  • Sudden narrowing of the airways
  • Serious allergic reaction
  • Heart and nervous system problems
  • Risk of bone loss
  • Poor growth
  • Eye problems
  • Low potassium and high blood sugar

Prices with our coupons for Advair vs. Symbicort

Price Card Drug Icon
Fluticasone/Salmeterol1 diskus inhaler / 250mcg/50mcg
$64.54$314.99
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Breyna1 inhaler / 120 doses of 160mcg/4.5mcg
$92.01$169.49
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