If you’re tired of feeling short‑of‑breath or dealing with frequent flare‑ups, you’ve probably heard of Symbicort. It’s a popular combo inhaler that mixes an inhaled steroid (budesonide) with a long‑acting bronchodilator (formoterol). But it isn’t the only game in town. Many people switch to other products because of cost, side effects, or simply personal preference.
Below you’ll get a quick rundown of the most common alternatives, what makes each one unique, and when it might make sense to talk to your doctor about changing your regimen.
Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) – This is probably the closest rival to Symbicort. It pairs a different steroid (fluticasone) with salmeterol, another long‑acting bronchodilator. The dosing schedule is similar, and many insurers treat it like a drop‑in replacement.
Breo Ellipta (fluticasone/vilanterol) – Breo comes in a once‑daily inhaler, which some users love for the convenience. The steroid dose is a bit higher than Symbicort’s, so you may notice stronger anti‑inflammatory effects.
Dulera (mometasone/formoterol) – If you want a lower steroid dose but still need a fast‑acting component, Dulera can be a good fit. It’s often prescribed for children and teens because the mometasone side‑effect profile is mild.
Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium/vilanterol) – This combo adds a long‑acting anticholinergic (umeclidinium) to the bronchodilator, making it useful for COPD patients who need extra airway relaxation. It’s not a steroid inhaler, so you’ll still need an extra inhaled corticosteroid if you have asthma.
Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol) – The triple‑therapy option packs a steroid, anticholinergic, and bronchodilator into one daily puff. It’s great for severe COPD or uncontrolled asthma on multiple meds.
Switching inhalers isn’t just about price tags; side effects matter too. If you notice a hoarse voice, oral thrush, or tremors after using Symbicort, an alternative with a different steroid might ease those symptoms.
Another red flag is poor control despite correct technique. Sometimes the issue is that the medication’s duration doesn’t match your daily routine—once‑daily options like Breo can solve that.
Insurance coverage changes frequently. A sudden hike in out‑of‑pocket costs is a solid reason to ask about generic or lower‑cost brand alternatives. Your pharmacist can often suggest equivalent inhalers that fit your plan.
Lastly, if you have both asthma and COPD (the so‑called “overlap” syndrome), a triple therapy like Trelegy may simplify your regimen by covering all three mechanisms in one device.
Bottom line: there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all inhaler. Look at the steroid type, dosing frequency, added bronchodilators or anticholinergics, and cost. Then have a candid chat with your doctor or respiratory therapist. They’ll help you pick an alternative that keeps your lungs happy without breaking the bank.
