This article explains how Advair and Symbicort are similar and different. You can view detailed articles about Advair and Symbicort if you’d like more information about these drugs.
Cost of Advair and Symbicort
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of Advair and Symbicort can vary. Their price may depend on:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see these coupon pages for:
You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The options described in this article may also help you save on your prescription.
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Questions about Advair and Symbicort
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about Advair and Symbicort.
How does Advair or Symbicort compare with Flovent or Breo?
Advair, Symbicort, Flovent, and Breo are all inhalers used to treat certain breathing conditions. But their uses and forms vary as shown in the table below:
| Advair | Symbicort | Breo Ellipta | Flovent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions* | • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • asthma | • COPD • asthma | • COPD • asthma | asthma |
| Forms | • Diskus (dry powder inhaler) • HFA (aerosol inhaler) | aerosol inhaler | dry powder inhaler | • Diskus • HFA |
| Active ingredient† | fluticasone propionate/salmeterol | budesonide/formoterol fumarate | fluticasone/vilanterol | fluticasone |
* The conditions Advair and Symbicort are used to treat vary depending on the drug’s form. For more information, see the “Uses of Advair and Symbicort” section below.
† An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
To learn more about how different inhalers compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is it safe to switch from Symbicort to Advair?
Yes, if your doctor recommends it, it’s usually safe to switch from Symbicort to Advair or vice versa. But you’ll need to talk with your doctor first to make sure the other medication is safe and appropriate to treat your condition.
The conditions Symbicort and Advair are used to treat vary depending on the drug’s form. For more information, see the “Uses of Advair and Symbicort” section below.
If you’re taking Symbicort or Advair and are interested in switching to another drug, talk with your doctor.
Between Advair and Symbicort, is one a better treatment for asthma and COPD?
Doctors may prescribe either Advair or Symbicort to treat asthma and COPD. This varies depending on the forms listed below:
- Advair Diskus, Symbicort, and Symbicort Aerosphere are prescribed to treat COPD.
- Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, and Symbicort are prescribed to treat asthma.
In studies, these drugs were effective for the purposes listed above.
That said, these medications differ in some ways. For instance, they come in different forms and are used in different age groups for children.
Keep in mind that your results from using Advair or Symbicort may differ from those seen in studies.
Your doctor can help determine whether one option is better for your condition. They’ll recommend this based on your specific needs and health factors. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about which drug is right for you.
Generic or biosimilar versions
Below is information about whether Advair or Symbicort is available in a generic version.
A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)
Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.
Here’s a summary about the generics of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA:
| Advair Diskus | Advair HFA | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | fluticasone propionate/salmeterol | fluticasone propionate/salmeterol |
| Available as a generic | ✓ | ✓ |
And here’s a summary about the generics of Symbicort and Symbicort Aerosphere:
| Symbicort | Symbicort Aerosphere | |
| Active ingredient | budesonide/formoterol fumarate | budesonide/formoterol fumarate |
| Available as a generic | ✓ |
If your doctor has prescribed Advair or Symbicort, but you’d like to know about taking its generic version, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They can help determine whether the generic version is right for you.
Uses of Advair and Symbicort
Here’s a summary of approved uses of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA:
| Advair Diskus | Advair HFA | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • asthma • COPD | • asthma |
| Prescribed to | • asthma: adults and children ages 4 years and older • COPD: adults | • adults and children ages 12 years and older |
And here’s a summary of approved uses of Symbicort and Symbicort Aerosphere:
| Symbicort | Symbicort Aerosphere | |
| Approved uses | • asthma • COPD | COPD |
| Prescribed to | • asthma: adults and children ages 6 years and older • COPD: adults | adults |
It’s important to note that Advair and Symbicort are not rescue inhalers. No form of the drugs should be used if you experience sudden severe coughing, trouble breathing, or worsening of your symptoms, such as during an asthma attack. If you experience these symptoms, seek emergency medical help by calling 911 or your local emergency number.
If you’d like to know more about using either medication for your condition, ask your doctor. They can recommend whether Advair or Symbicort is an option to consider.
Dosage and administration of Advair and Symbicort
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both Advair and Symbicort are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that Advair and Symbicort treat, see these articles about Advair dosage and Symbicort dosage.
Below are dosages provided by the drugmakers of Advair and Symbicort. If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Advair’s dosage
Below is a summary of Advair’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in micrograms (mcg).
| Purpose | Form prescribed | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| to treat asthma in adults and children ages 4 years and older | Advair Diskus | • for adults and children ages 12 years and older: 100/50 mcg to 500/50 mcg • for children ages 4–11 years: 100/50 mcg | 1 inhalation twice daily |
| to treat COPD in adults | Advair Diskus | 250/50 mcg | 1 inhalation twice daily |
| to treat asthma in adults and children ages 12 years and older | Advair HFA | 45/21 mcg to 230/21 mcg | 2 inhalations twice daily |
Symbicort’s dosage
Below is a summary of Symbicort’s recommended dosages in adults and children. Strength is measured in mcg.
| Purpose | Form prescribed | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| to treat asthma in adults and children 6 years and older | Symbicort | • for adults and children ages 12 years and older: 80/4.5 mcg to 160/4.5 mcg • for children ages 6–11 years: 80/4.5 mcg | 2 inhalations twice daily |
| to treat COPD in adults | • Symbicort • Symbicort Aerosphere | 160/4.5 mcg | 2 inhalations twice daily |
Side effects of Advair and Symbicort
Advair and Symbicort may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of Advair and Symbicort are also listed.
Keep in mind that your side effects may differ from those listed below. They can vary based on your overall health, any other medications you take, and your age.
This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of these medications. To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Symbicort, and Symbicort Aerosphere. You can also check out these articles about Advair side effects and Symbicort side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Symbicort, and Symbicort Aerosphere:
| Advair | Symbicort | |
| upper respiratory infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| throat irritation | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| oral thrush (fungal infection) | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Symbicort, and Symbicort Aerosphere:
| Advair | Symbicort | |
|---|---|---|
| adrenal suppression (a condition that lowers the production of cortisol) | ✓ | ✓ |
| paradoxical bronchospasm (unexpected airway tightening after taking a dose) | ✓ | ✓ |
| decreased bone density and osteoporosis | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased risk of certain infections, including pneumonia | ✓ | ✓ |
| cataracts and glaucoma with long-term use | ✓ | ✓ |
| slowed growth in children | ✓ | ✓ |
| low blood potassium level | ✓ | ✓ |
| high blood sugar level | ✓ | ✓ |
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from Advair or Symbicort, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Warnings for Advair and Symbicort
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take Advair or Symbicort, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for Advair and Symbicort are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
| Advair | Symbicort | |
|---|---|---|
| active infection, especially a serious infection such as pneumonia | ✓ | ✓ |
| heart conditions, such as irregular heart rate or high blood pressure | ✓ | ✓ |
| epilepsy or seizure | ✓ | ✓ |
| thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism | ✓ | ✓ |
| osteoporosis or another condition that causes weak bones | ✓ | ✓ |
| eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts | ✓ | ✓ |
| liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease | ✓ | ✓ |
| type 1 or 2 diabetes | ✓ | ✓ |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
You can view more detailed articles about Advair and Symbicort if you’d like to know more about warnings for these drugs. You can also view the prescribing information for Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Symbicort, and Symbicort Aerosphere.
What to ask a doctor
If you’re trying to decide whether Advair or Symbicort is better for you, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best option.
Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Would Advair or Symbicort be better for me based on my health history?
- How long should it take before I feel a difference from Advair or Symbicort?
- Would Advair or Symbicort interact with any other drugs I’m taking?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.