{"id":49197,"date":"2022-02-24T18:44:28","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T23:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=49197"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T20:49:16","slug":"symbicort-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/symbicort-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Symbicort alternatives: What can I take instead of Symbicort?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Symbicort is a combination inhaler that contains two ingredients: budesonide, an <\/span>inhaled corticosteroid<\/span><\/a> (ICS), and formoterol, a <\/span>long-acting beta-2 agonist<\/span><\/a> (LABA). It works by reducing inflammation (swelling) in the lungs and relaxing the airways to make breathing easier. Symbicort is used to treat <\/span>asthma<\/span> as a maintenance medicine and, in some cases, as a relief medicine. It\u2019s also FDA-approved to treat<\/span><\/a> chronic obstructive pulmonary disease<\/span><\/a> (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and <\/span>emphysema<\/span><\/a>. Symbicort may not be appropriate for everyone, especially people with heart problems, <\/span>osteoporosis<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>glaucoma<\/span><\/a>, among other medical conditions. Less commonly, Symbicort can also cause serious <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a>, including lung infection and a weakened immune system. In these situations, a healthcare provider may suggest a different medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related: <\/b>What is Symbicort<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take instead of Symbicort?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are many products available to treat respiratory disorders, and alternative medications may be preferred for some people, depending on individual circumstances, such as certain pre-existing conditions or insurance coverage. Other factors, such as side effects, the type of inhaler device, and disease severity, may also influence someone to try a Symbicort alternative. Examples of other drugs for the long-term treatment of asthma and COPD are listed below. Another option may be more suitable for you, but you\u2019ll need to consult your healthcare provider for medical advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Symbicort alternatives<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nPrice without insurance<\/b><\/td>\nSingleCare price<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symbicort<\/span><\/a> (budesonide\/formoterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$485 for 1, 10.2 gram inhaler (160\/4.5 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$156 for 1, 10.2 gram inhaler (160\/4.5 mcg per actuation) of generic budesonide\/formoterol at CVS<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advair Diskus (fluticasone\/salmeterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$502 for 1, 250\/50 mcg per actuation diskus inhaler<\/span><\/td>\n$58 for 1, 250\/50 mcg per actuation diskus inhaler at CVS<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advair HFA<\/span><\/a> (fluticasone\/salmeterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$513 for 1, 12 gram inhaler (115\/21 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$289 for 1, 12 gram inhaler (115\/21 mcg per actuation) at CVS<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dulera<\/span><\/a> (mometasone\/formoterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$498 for 1, 13 gram inhaler (200\/5 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$337 for 1, 13 gram inhaler (200\/5 mcg per actuation) at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Breo Ellipta<\/span><\/a> (fluticasone\/vilanterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$556 for 1, 60 gram inhaler (100\/25 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$274 for 1, 60 gram inhaler (100\/25 mcg per actuation) at CVS<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Breztri<\/span><\/a> (budesonide\/glycopyrrolate\/formoterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$929 for 1, 10.7 gram inhaler (160\/9\/4.8 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$572 for 1, 10.7 gram inhaler (160\/9\/4.8 mcg per actuation) at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Trelegy Ellipta<\/span><\/a> (fluticasone\/umeclidinium\/vilanterol)<\/span><\/td>\n$928 for 1 inhaler (100\/62.5\/25 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$554 for 1 inhaler (100\/62.5\/25 mcg per actuation) at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Singulair<\/span><\/a> (montelukast)<\/span><\/td>\n$1,001 for 90, 10 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n$9 for 90, 10 mg tablets at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spiriva Respimat<\/span><\/a> (tiotropium)<\/span><\/td>\n$97 for 1, 4 gram inhaler (2.5 mcg per actuation)<\/span><\/td>\n$62 for 1, 4 gram inhaler (2.5 mcg per actuation) at Kroger<\/span><\/td>\nSee latest prices<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of <\/span><\/i>Jan. 23, 2026. <\/span><\/i>The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Top 5 Symbicort alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n

While many different inhaler medications are available, the following are some of the most common alternatives to Symbicort. Note: Short-acting beta agonists like albuterol are not alternatives to long-acting beta agonists such as Symbicort when used for maintenance treatment of asthma or COPD.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Advair\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Advair is available as two dosage forms: <\/span>Advair Diskus<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Advair HFA<\/span><\/a>. Advair HFA is an aerosol metered-dose inhaler approved for asthma in adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older. Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler approved for both asthma (in adults and children 4 years and older) and COPD. The active ingredients in Advair and Symbicort belong to the same drug classes, but Advair contains different active ingredients (fluticasone\/salmeterol). Because Advair and Symbicort are both ICS\/LABA combination medications, they have similar side effects such as upper respiratory infection, headache, sinus pain, and oral thrush. (Note: to reduce the risk of oral thrush, you should always rinse your mouth with water and spit after using inhalers with an ICS.) Some patients may find the Advair Diskus inhaler easier to use because it requires less <\/span>hand-breath coordination<\/span><\/a> than Symbicort. Advair Diskus is typically given at a dose of one inhalation twice daily and Advair HFA as two inhalations twice daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Symbicort vs. Advair<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Dulera<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dulera<\/span><\/a> is an asthma medication in the same drug class as Symbicort. Dulera contains the ICS mometasone and the LABA formoterol. Dulera and Symbicort share the same bronchodilator ingredient. While Symbicort is FDA-approved to treat asthma and COPD, Dulera is only indicated for the treatment of asthma in adults and children 5 years and older. In clinical studies, these medications have been found to be effective for asthma by improving quality of life and reducing asthma attacks. Dulera and Symbicort also have similar side effect profiles and dosing schedules of two inhalations twice daily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Breo Ellipta<\/span><\/h3>\n

Breo Ellipta<\/span><\/a> is another ICS\/LABA combination inhaler containing fluticasone and vilanterol. Breo is indicated for the long-term treatment of asthma (in adults and children 5 years and older) and COPD. In a <\/span>clinical study<\/span><\/a> comparing the effects of Breo versus Symbicort in asthma patients, both drugs showed similar improvements in lung function. However, Breo\u2014which is given at one inhalation once daily\u2014had better convenience and adherence compared to Symbicort, which is dosed at two inhalations twice daily. This once-daily dosing schedule may be preferable for certain patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Breztri<\/span><\/h3>\n

Breztri<\/span><\/a> and Symbicort both contain budesonide and formoterol, but Breztri has another added ingredient called glycopyrrolate, making it a triple combination therapy. Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic drug that works by relaxing and widening airways in the lungs. Breztri is only indicated for COPD and is not approved for asthma. In a clinical study, the rate of COPD exacerbations was <\/span>13% to 14%<\/span><\/a> lower with Breztri than with Symbicort, and both medications had similar rates of side effects such as pneumonia, upper respiratory infection, and bronchitis. Breztri and Symbicort are both dosed at two inhalations twice daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Trelegy Ellipta<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like Breztri, <\/span>Trelegy<\/span><\/a> is a triple therapy medication with an ICS (fluticasone), anticholinergic (umeclidinium), and LABA (vilanterol). Trelegy is the first FDA-approved triple therapy for the maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD. Trelegy is not approved for use in children and teenagers under 18 years old. Common side effects of Trelegy include respiratory infection, sore throat, sinusitis, and oral thrush. Compared to Symbicort, Trelegy was shown to reduce COPD exacerbations by <\/span>35%<\/span><\/a> more. Trelegy is given at one inhalation once daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

Natural alternatives to Symbicort<\/span><\/h2>\n

Natural remedies can help patients with asthma<\/span> and COPD manage their daily symptoms and improve their quality of life. There are multiple non-drug options available, but these therapies usually work best when used along with prescription drugs like Symbicort. And it\u2019s important to note that while certain natural remedies may help, they are not a substitute for prescriptions recommended by your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternative therapies for asthma and COPD include the following treatments, lifestyle modifications, and vitamins:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n