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

Most common
Sinusitis (≥3%)
Headache (≥3%)
Nasopharyngitis (≥3%)

Flovent

Most common
Sinusitis (>3%)
Headache (>3%)
Upper respiratory tract infection or inflammation (>3%)

Dulera vs. Flovent Dosage

Dulera

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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.