Dulera vs. Flovent
See how Dulera and Flovent compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Dulera combines an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator, while Flovent contains only an inhaled corticosteroid, so their warnings and side effects differ.
Both inhalers are maintenance treatments for asthma and neither is meant to relieve a sudden asthma attack.
Flovent is approved starting at age 4 and Dulera starting at age 5, and Flovent typically costs less than Dulera without insurance.
Dulera vs. Flovent Drug Summary
Dulera
Dulera is a combination inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist (ICS/LABA) used for twice-daily maintenance treatment of asthma in people 5 and older. It pairs mometasone, which reduces airway inflammation, with formoterol, which relaxes airway muscles to ease breathing. It is not a rescue inhaler and does not replace a fast-acting medicine for sudden symptoms.
Flovent
Flovent is an inhaled corticosteroid used alone for twice-daily maintenance treatment of asthma in people 4 and older, including those who need oral steroids. It works by reducing airway inflammation but does not include a bronchodilator to relax airway muscles directly. Like Dulera, it is not intended for relief of sudden asthma attacks.
Dulera vs. Flovent Side Effects
Dulera
Flovent
Dulera vs. Flovent Dosage
Dulera
Flovent
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 2 inhalations 100/5 mcg BID | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 2 inhalations 200/5 mcg BID | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 88 mcg twice daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 880 mcg twice daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Dulera
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 2 inhalations 100/5 mcg BID | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 2 inhalations 200/5 mcg BID | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Flovent
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 88 mcg twice daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 880 mcg twice daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Dulera vs. Flovent Indications
Dulera
Dulera is FDA approved for twice-daily maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 5 years and older. It is not approved to relieve sudden asthma attacks, so patients always need a separate rescue inhaler on hand.
Maintenance asthma treatment in patients 5 and older
Not approved for acute bronchospasm relief
Combines an inhaled steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator
Taken as two inhalations, twice a day
Flovent
Flovent is FDA approved for twice-daily maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 4 years and older, including those who require oral corticosteroid therapy. It is not approved to relieve sudden asthma attacks, so patients still need a separate rescue inhaler.
Maintenance asthma treatment in patients 4 and older
Approved for asthma patients needing oral steroids
Not approved for acute bronchospasm relief
Available as an HFA inhaler or Diskus powder
Dulera vs. Flovent Pros and Cons
Dulera
Dulera pairs an inhaled steroid with a long-acting bronchodilator in one inhaler, which can help some patients reach control with a single device. It carries a boxed warning about the LABA component's link to asthma-related death and has no generic version yet, which tends to raise its cost.
Pros
Combines a steroid and bronchodilator in one inhaler
May improve control when a steroid alone isn't enough
Simple twice-daily dosing routine
Cons
Carries a boxed warning for LABA-related asthma death risk
No generic version currently available
Only approved for patients 5 and older
Flovent
Flovent delivers an inhaled steroid alone, without a bronchodilator, so it does not carry the LABA boxed warning that comes with combination inhalers. It has decades of use behind it and is now available only as an authorized generic, which tends to lower its price compared to newer combination options.
Pros
No boxed warning for LABA-related risks
Approved for younger children, starting at age 4
Long track record of use since 1994
Cons
Does not include a bronchodilator for extra airway relaxation
May need an added LABA inhaler if a steroid alone isn't enough
Brand-name product discontinued, only generics remain
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.