Symbicort vs. Dulera

See how Symbicort and Dulera compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Symbicort and Dulera are both twice-daily inhaled corticosteroid/LABA combinations, but only Symbicort is FDA-approved for COPD as well as asthma.

  • Dulera is approved for children as young as 5, while Symbicort's asthma approval starts at age 6.

  • Both carry the same boxed warning about a small increased risk of asthma-related death from the LABA component.

Symbicort vs. Dulera Drug Summary

Symbicort

Symbicort combines the corticosteroid budesonide with the long-acting bronchodilator formoterol in one inhaler. It's used twice daily for ongoing asthma control in people 6 and up, and it's also approved for maintenance treatment of COPD. It comes in two strengths, with the higher dose specifically indicated for COPD.

Dulera

Dulera combines the corticosteroid mometasone with the long-acting bronchodilator formoterol in one inhaler. It's taken twice daily for ongoing asthma control in people 5 and up, but it is not approved for COPD. It comes in two strengths based on asthma severity.

Symbicort vs. Dulera Side Effects

Symbicort

Most common
headache (3% or greater)
nasopharyngitis (3% or greater)
upper respiratory tract infection (3% or greater)

Dulera

Most common
headache (3% or greater)
nasopharyngitis (3% or greater)
sinusitis (3% or greater)

Symbicort vs. Dulera Dosage

Symbicort

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2 inh 80/4.5 mcg twice daily At the start
Maximum dose 2 inh 160/4.5 mcg twice daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Dulera

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2 inh 100/5 mcg twice daily At the start
Maximum dose 2 inh 200/5 mcg twice daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Symbicort vs. Dulera Indications

Symbicort

Symbicort is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in people 6 and older, and for maintenance treatment of COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is not meant for sudden asthma or COPD symptoms and should be used with a separate rescue inhaler for that.

  • Asthma maintenance treatment, ages 6 and up

  • COPD maintenance treatment and exacerbation reduction

  • Not approved for acute bronchospasm relief

  • Twice-daily inhaled aerosol

Dulera

Dulera is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in people 5 and older. It does not carry a COPD indication, so it's used specifically for ongoing asthma control rather than chronic bronchitis or emphysema. Like Symbicort, it is not intended for sudden symptom relief.

  • Asthma maintenance treatment, ages 5 and up

  • Not approved for COPD

  • Not approved for acute bronchospasm relief

  • Twice-daily inhaled aerosol

Symbicort vs. Dulera Pros and Cons

Symbicort

Symbicort covers both asthma and COPD, which broadens who it can be prescribed for compared to Dulera. It has been available since 2006 and now has a generic option, while Dulera remains brand-only. Its main tradeoffs are a slightly older minimum age and dual-purpose dosing strengths.

Pros

  • FDA-approved for COPD as well as asthma, unlike Dulera which only covers asthma

  • A generic version is available, which Dulera does not currently have

  • On the market since 2006, giving it a longer real-world track record than Dulera

Cons

  • Approved for asthma only from age 6, one year older than Dulera's age 5 minimum

  • Its two strengths serve both asthma and COPD, which can make dose selection less clear-cut

  • The COPD-indicated 160/4.5 mcg strength delivers more inhaled steroid, slightly raising local side effect risk

Dulera

Dulera is approved for slightly younger children than Symbicort and uses strengths built specifically around asthma severity rather than a shared asthma-COPD dosing scheme. It does not treat COPD and has no generic option, so it may cost more for some patients without insurance. It has also been on the market for a shorter time than Symbicort.

Pros

  • Approved for asthma in children as young as 5, one year younger than Symbicort's minimum age

  • Both strengths are designed specifically for asthma, without doubling as a COPD dose

  • Offers mometasone as an alternative corticosteroid option for patients who don't tolerate budesonide

Cons

  • Not FDA-approved for COPD, so patients with COPD need a different medication

  • No generic version available, unlike Symbicort

  • Approved more recently, in 2010, giving it a shorter track record than Symbicort

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.