Symbicort, Budesonide Formoterol Dihydrate

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Updated on May 1, 2024

Symbicort is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in certain people. This drug is also available in a generic version. The cost of Symbicort, with or without insurance, can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two forms of this drug, which are:

• Symbicort, which is used to treat COPD and asthma in certain people
• Symbicort Aerosphere, which is used to treat COPD

These medications should not be used to relieve an asthma attack or treat sudden breathing problems.

Read on to learn about Symbicort and its cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Symbicort, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

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Cost of Symbicort

Like other medications, the cost of Symbicort can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the amount you’re prescribed
• the drug form you’re prescribed

To find out how much Symbicort costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Symbicort” section.

Coupons for Symbicort

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Symbicort. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Symbicort

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Symbicort. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Symbicort. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re using Symbicort long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Symbicort is a brand-name medication. It contains the active ingredients budesonide and formoterol fumarate. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) A generic version is available, as shown in the table below:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed Symbicort, but you’re interested in Breyna, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which versions of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all medications.

To learn how the cost of Symbicort compares with its generic version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company.

Common questions about Symbicort and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Symbicort.  

Is Symbicort covered by Medicare?

This depends on your specific Medicare drug plan. Each Medicare plan has its own drug list, also called a formulary. If Symbicort isn’t on your plan’s drug list, a different medication may be preferred to treat your condition. 

If your drug plan does cover Symbicort, the cost may differ based on your specific plan and whether you’ve paid your deductible for the year. Other factors that may affect cost include the pharmacy you use and whether you get a 90-day supply.

If you’d like to know more about whether Symbicort is covered by Medicare, talk with your insurance provider, doctor, or pharmacist. 

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. 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.)

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about Symbicort

This article provides the cost information related to Symbicort. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for Symbicort.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will my dosage of Symbicort affect the drug’s cost?
• Is Symbicort covered by my insurance plan?
• What are my options if I can’t afford Symbicort?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dehydrate) inhalation aerosol, for oral inhalation use. (2017). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021929s042lbl.pdf
• Symbicort Aerosphere (budesonide and formoterol fumarate) inhalation aerosol, for oral inhalation use. (2023). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/216579s000lbl.pdf

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.