Taking Symbicort for Asthma? Here’s How to Save

Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) is a common maintenance inhaler, taken on a daily basis to treat asthma and COPD. But it’s not cheap. Cash prices average around $323 for one inhaler, and out-of-pocket costs for those who fill Symbicort regularly can be unmanageable.

Symbicort works well. Almost 60% of people rate Symbicort as “worth it,” according to our friends at Iodine. If Symbicort works well for you, or your healthcare provider thinks it’s best for you, how can you make it more affordable? Here’s some information about Symbicort and how you can save.

How popular is Symbicort?

Symbicort is the second most popular beta agonist/corticosteroid, a class of drugs used to treat asthma and COPD. Other common drugs in this class include Advair, Breo Ellipta, Dulera, and Airduo.

An authorized generic for Symbicort is now available

Recently, the FDA approved an authorized generic version of Symbicort called budesonide/formoterol. An authorized generic is the brand-name medication without the brand name on its label. This type of generic version is made by the same manufacturer as that of the brand name drug, meaning these two products are exactly the same.

The lowest GoodRx retail price for this generic is $139.43 for one 80 mcg/4.5 mcg inhaler. The generic is about half the cost of brand-name Symbicort, which is $298.73 for the same dosage. Of course, if you pay for the generic through your insurance the cost will depend on your coverage.

Symbicort versus Advair

Advair and Symbicort are very similar in nature, and many patients wonder which is best for them. While both Symbicort and Advair are both used to treat Asthma and COPD, they have several noteworthy differences.

First off, Symbicort and Advair have different active ingredients. These active ingredients are important to pay attention to, especially if you are on other medications that could have a negative interaction.

Another difference? The price. Advair tends to be a little more expensive. The average cash price for Advair is $367, while Symbicort is $323.

One final note: Symbicort and Advair are not rescue inhalers. They cannot be used to treat acute symptoms like an asthma attack.

Symbicort still works best for me: How can I save?

• Get the authorized generic. The generic version is made by the same drug manufacturer as the brand-name Symbicort, so the two products are exactly the same. If you were prescribed Symbicort, you don’t need a prescription. Just ask your pharmacist for the authorized generic and they can switch it for you.  

• Save with Symbicort’s manufacturer coupon or patient assistance program. Manufacturer AstraZeneca offers a manufacturer coupon program and patient assistance program for patients with and without insurance coverage. The Symbicort Savings Offer can reduce your payment to as little as $25 per month for one year, while the Patient Assistance Program can help you receive your medication at no cost if you qualify.

• Use a Symbicort coupon from GoodRx. GoodRx offers discounts for Symbicort online which can save at least 15% off the full retail price.

• Try to appeal your coverage. If you have insurance and your plan doesn’t cover Symbicort, ask your doctor about submitting an appeal, Some plans require prior authorizations—meaning you need permission from your insurance plan and a special request from your doctor before you can fill your prescription. If you have insurance, call your provider and ask how to get this process started.

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Written by:

Tori Marsh, MPH

Tori Marsh is GoodRx’s resident expert on prescription drug pricing, prescribing trends, and drug savings. She oversees the GoodRx drug database, ensuring that all drug information is accurate and up to date.

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