Advair vs. Symbicort for Asthma and COPD: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Advair

(fluticasone / salmeterol)

Symbicort

(budesonide / formoterol)

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

Asthma - in adults and children 6 years and older
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - in adults

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

Fluticasone/Salmeterol1 diskus inhaler / 250mcg/50mcg

$64.34$314.99

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Breyna1 inhaler / 120 doses of 160mcg/4.5mcg

$92.01$169.11

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Advair vs. Symbicort

Advair

Symbicort

Summary for Advair

Indications for Advair

Pros and Cons for Advair

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Advair

Warnings for Advair

Summary for Symbicort

Indications for Symbicort

Pros and Cons for Symbicort

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Symbicort

Warnings for Symbicort

Prices with our coupons for Advair vs. Symbicort

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Advair

Symbicort

Summary for Advair

Indications for Advair

Pros and Cons for Advair

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Advair

Warnings for Advair

Summary for Symbicort

Indications for Symbicort

Pros and Cons for Symbicort

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Symbicort

Warnings for Symbicort