{"id":633106,"date":"2025-08-07T10:56:53","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T14:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633106"},"modified":"2026-01-26T17:41:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T22:41:16","slug":"symbicort-generic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/symbicort-generic\/","title":{"rendered":"Symbicort generic: Options for COPD and asthma treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Symbicort<\/span><\/a> is an inhaler containing two active ingredients, budesonide and formoterol, which <\/span>work together to reduce inflammation in the lungs and help open up airways. It was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for the treatment of asthma in people 12 years and older, and in 2009 for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Since then, it has also been approved as an asthma treatment for kids over 6 years of age. Since generic drugs are often more available and affordable than brand-name drugs, you may wonder whether you can opt for a generic version of Symbicort instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is there a generic for Symbicort?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, the generic name for Symbicort<\/a> is budesonide-formoterol, which was launched in 2020 by the same manufacturer, AstraZeneca. This is called an <\/span>authorized generic<\/span><\/a>, meaning it is the exact same drug packaged without the brand name. An authorized generic is usually marketed by the brand-name drug company.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another generic version of Symbicort, <\/span>Breyna<\/span><\/a>, was <\/span>approved by the FDA for production<\/span><\/a> by a different manufacturer (Viatris) in March 2022. Breyna is bioequivalent to Symbicort, which means it\u2019s also essentially the same medication with the same safety and efficacy, though it may have some minor differences. Because there\u2019s more than one company making generic versions of Symbicort, it\u2019s more available than the brand-name and often covered by insurance at a lower cost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Symbicort?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to <\/span>Rebecca Freiss<\/span><\/a>, MD, allergist and immunologist with Summit Health, brand-name Symbicort and generic budesonide-formoterol contain the same active ingredients, so either one is acceptable for asthma and COPD treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To be FDA-approved, <\/span>generic drugs<\/span><\/a> have to contain the same active ingredient(s) as their brand-name counterparts, and they have to be just as safe and effective. However, generic drugs are often less expensive and may look different than brand-name drugs. They may also contain slightly different inactive ingredients, like dyes, preservatives, and fillers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although brand-name and generic drugs are essentially the same, there may be differences that may affect how well they work for individual people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Delivery system<\/span><\/h3>\n

Brand-name Symbicort and generic budesonide-formoterol use the exact same method to deliver the medication to your airways (a combination of two inhaler systems, pressurized and dry powder). These drugs are identical, though the physical appearance of the inhaler may be different. Breyna, meanwhile, only uses one pressurized inhaler system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In all three cases, <\/span>the medication is delivered as an aerosol spray<\/span><\/a>, but some people dislike the difference between Symbicort and Breyna or find that one is more or less effective than the other for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Symbicort (budesonide-formoterol) warnings & side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Uses<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Asthma in people ages 6 years and older<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Adults with COPD<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard dosage<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • 2 inhalations twice daily from either 80\/4.5 mcg\/act or 160\/4.5 mcg\/act inhaler<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Common side effects<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Sore throat<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Upper respiratory tract infection<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Nasal congestion<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Headache<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Back pain<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stomach discomfort<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Oral yeast infection\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Contraindications<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Do not use if you are allergic to either <\/span>budesonide or formoterol<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Do not use this medication for acute asthma or COPD flares\/attacks<\/span><\/li>\n
  • People with certain health conditions, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and glaucoma, may not be able to use Symbicort<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other considerations<\/b><\/td>\n\n