Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Flovent (fluticasone)
Pulmicort flexhaler (budesonide)
Flovent (fluticasone)
Pulmicort flexhaler (budesonide)
Summary of Flovent vs. Pulmicort Flexhaler
Summary for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Prescription only
Flovent (fluticasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used in people 4 years and older with asthma. It helps keep lung inflammation low and the airways open. This inhaler is used twice per day. When used every day, Flovent (fluticasone) can lower the number and severity of asthma attacks. It's not a rescue inhaler, so it won't help an asthma attack that has already started.
Summary for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Prescription only
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) is an inhaled corticosteroid. It's used in adults and children for the maintenance treatment of asthma. It's a type of dry powder inhaler that's inhaled through the mouth twice per day. Side effects include the common cold and sore throat.
Indications of Flovent vs. Pulmicort Flexhaler
Indications for
•Maintenance treatment of asthma
Indications for
•Maintenance treatment of asthma in people ages 6 years and older
Pros and Cons of Flovent vs. Pulmicort Flexhaler
Pros and Const for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Pros
•Works well to prevent and lower asthma symptoms
•Has few side effects since the medication is directly inhaled into the lungs
•Available as two different types of inhalers (HFA inhaler and Diskus inhaler)
•Lower-cost generic available for Flovent HFA
Cons
•Need to use twice per day
•Need to rinse your mouth after each use to prevent fungal infection in the mouth (thrush)
•Can't use to treat active asthma attacks
•Can't use Flovent Diskus if you're allergic to milk proteins since it contains lactose
Pros and Const for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Pros
•First-choice medication for controlling asthma symptoms
•Inhaling into the lungs, which has fewer side effects than taking steroid pills by mouth
•Possible option for children as young as 6 years old
Cons
•Doesn't treat an asthma attack
•Needs to be inhaled twice per day
•Contains lactose, so not a good choice for people with a milk protein allergy
Common Side Effects of Flovent vs. Pulmicort Flexhaler
Common Side Effects for
In general, common side effects for Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are very similar:
•Throat irritation
•Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., common cold)