Symbicort vs. Flovent
See how Symbicort and Flovent compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Symbicort combines an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator, while Flovent contains only an inhaled corticosteroid.
Symbicort is approved for asthma (age 6+) and COPD, while Flovent is approved for asthma (age 4+) and for people who need oral corticosteroid therapy.
Because it contains a LABA, Symbicort carries a boxed warning about increased risk of asthma-related death that Flovent does not carry.
Symbicort vs. Flovent Drug Summary
Symbicort
Symbicort is a combination inhaler containing an inhaled corticosteroid (budesonide) and a long-acting beta2-agonist (formoterol). It's approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in people 6 and older and for COPD, taken as two inhalations twice daily.
Flovent
Flovent contains fluticasone propionate, an inhaled corticosteroid with no bronchodilator. It's approved for maintenance asthma treatment in people 4 and older, including those who need oral corticosteroid therapy, taken twice daily by inhaler.
Symbicort vs. Flovent Side Effects
Symbicort
Flovent
Symbicort vs. Flovent Dosage
Symbicort
Flovent
| 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 |
| 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 |
Symbicort
| 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 |
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 |
Symbicort vs. Flovent Indications
Symbicort
Symbicort is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 6 years and older. It's also approved to maintain airflow and reduce exacerbations in COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is not intended for sudden asthma attacks.
Maintenance asthma treatment (age 6+)
COPD maintenance and exacerbation reduction
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema management
Not for acute bronchospasm relief
Flovent
Flovent is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 4 years and older. It's also approved for people with asthma who need oral corticosteroid therapy, to help reduce reliance on those pills. It is not intended for sudden asthma attacks.
Maintenance asthma treatment (age 4+)
For asthma patients needing oral steroids
Prophylactic asthma therapy
Not for acute bronchospasm relief
Symbicort vs. Flovent Pros and Cons
Symbicort
Symbicort pairs an inhaled steroid with a long-acting bronchodilator, so it can control both inflammation and airway constriction from one inhaler. This added power comes with a boxed warning for LABA-related risk and a higher price than steroid-only options.
Pros
Combines a steroid and bronchodilator in one inhaler
Approved for COPD as well as asthma
Approved for children as young as 6
Higher-strength option available for COPD dosing
Cons
Carries boxed warning for LABA-related death risk
Costs more than Flovent, roughly $300 to $500 monthly
No generic version currently available
Flovent
Flovent is a steroid-only inhaler, so it carries no LABA boxed warning but also provides no built-in bronchodilation. It's now sold only as an authorized generic, at a lower price than steroid-LABA combinations like Symbicort.
Pros
Costs less than Symbicort, roughly $50 to $150 monthly
Approved for patients needing oral corticosteroids
Approved for children as young as 4
No boxed warning for LABA-related risks
Cons
Long-term risk of bone loss, cataracts, and glaucoma
Risk of oral thrush (candidiasis) with regular use
Brand-name version discontinued; generic only now
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