Skip to main content

Compare
Breo Ellipta vs. Symbicort

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

Breo Ellipta

(fluticasone furoate / vilanterol)

Get free coupons

Symbicort

(budesonide / formoterol)

Get free coupons

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

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

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

Price Card Drug Icon
Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Ellipta1 inhaler / 60 blisters of 100mcg/25mcg
$228.01$415.96
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Breyna1 inhaler / 120 doses of 160mcg/4.5mcg
$92.01$169.61
Get free coupons
More Information

Compare other Asthma and COPD drugs

Anoro-ellipta vs. Breo-elliptaBreo-ellipta vs. AdvairBreo-ellipta vs. SymbicortBreo-ellipta vs. Trelegy-elliptaDulera vs. Breo-ellipta
Incruse-ellipta vs. Breo-elliptaQvar vs. Breo-elliptaSingulair vs. Breo-elliptaTheophylline vs. Breo-elliptaXopenex vs. Breo-elliptaAdvair vs. Trelegy-elliptaAnoro-ellipta vs. Trelegy-elliptaBreztri-aerosphere vs. Trelegy-elliptaDulera vs. AdvairDulera vs. AlbuterolDulera vs. FloventDulera vs. PulmicortDulera vs. SpirivaDulera vs. SymbicortIncruse-ellipta vs. Trelegy-elliptaNucala vs. SingulairQvar vs. DuleraQvar vs. SingulairSingulair vs. AdvairSingulair vs. AllegraSingulair vs. ClaritinSingulair vs. FlonaseSingulair vs. FloventSingulair vs. SymbicortSingulair vs. Xyzal

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.