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

Most common
Nasopharyngitis (≥3%)
Headache (≥3%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (≥3%)
Pharyngolaryngeal pain (≥3%)

Flovent

Most common
Upper respiratory tract infection or inflammation (>3%)
Throat irritation (>3%)
Sinusitis (>3%)
Dysphonia (>3%)

Symbicort vs. Flovent 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

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

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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