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

Breo Ellipta

(fluticasone furoate / vilanterol)

Symbicort

(budesonide / formoterol)

Summary for Breo Ellipta

Prescription only

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / vilanterol) is a maintenance inhaler used every day to help manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It's a combination of two medications: fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces swelling in your lungs, and vilanterol, a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) that helps relax your airways. The typical dose is one puff by mouth once a day. Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / vilanterol) isn't for sudden breathing problems or asthma attacks. Side effects include oral thrush, sore throat, and headache.

Indications for Breo Ellipta

Asthma - in adults and children 5 years and older
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - in adults

Pros and Cons for Breo Ellipta

Pros

Long-term treatment for both COPD and asthma
Inhaled only once a day
Might be easier to use compared to some other dry powder inhalers
Safe for children 5 years and older for asthma

Cons

Won't work well for asthma attacks or COPD flare ups
Not safe for those severely allergic to milk proteins since it contains lactose
Can cause thrush in mouth or throat
No need to prime or shake the inhaler before use

Common Side Effects for Breo Ellipta

Asthma (adults):

Common cold symptoms (7-10%)
Headache (5-8%)

Asthma (children):

Common cold symptoms (10%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)

COPD:

Common cold symptoms (9%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (7%)
Headache (7%)
Oral thrush (5%)

Warnings for Breo Ellipta

Worsening asthma or COPD
Overdose
Oral thrush
Pneumonia
Higher risk of infection
Changes in stress hormone levels
Sudden narrowing of the airways
Serious allergic reactions
Heart problems
Risk of bone loss
Slowed growth in children
Eye problems
High blood sugar and low potassium

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 Breo Ellipta vs. Symbicort

Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Ellipta1 inhaler / 60 blisters of 100mcg/25mcg

$225.88$415.94

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Breyna1 inhaler / 120 doses of 160mcg/4.5mcg

$92.01$168.14

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Breo Ellipta vs. Symbicort

Breo Ellipta

Symbicort

Summary for Breo Ellipta

Indications for Breo Ellipta

Pros and Cons for Breo Ellipta

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Breo Ellipta

Warnings for Breo Ellipta

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 Breo Ellipta vs. Symbicort

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Breo Ellipta

Symbicort

Summary for Breo Ellipta

Indications for Breo Ellipta

Pros and Cons for Breo Ellipta

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Breo Ellipta

Warnings for Breo Ellipta

Summary for Symbicort

Indications for Symbicort

Pros and Cons for Symbicort

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Symbicort

Warnings for Symbicort