Just because you’ve been diagnosed with a lung disease or condition, doesn’t mean you can’t lead a healthy and active lifestyle. However, to help you with your condition, besides the treatment your doctor recommends, there are medications designed just for you.
Two very effective medications, designed to manage your lung disease are Breo and Symbicort. Read this comprehensive guide on the differences, between Breo vs Symbicort to help you with your condition.
Contents
Active Ingredients
The active ingredients in Breo and Symbicort are two of the most popular options in inhaler medications. Breo contains two active ingredients, fluticasone and vilanterol.
Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation and vilanterol is a long-term bronchodilator that helps the airways to relax and open up. Symbicort contains the active ingredients, budesonide and formoterol.
Budesonide is a corticosteroid like fluticasone and formoterol is a long-term bronchodilator like vilanterol. Both medications have very similar active ingredients, however, the doses of each drug can be different.
Side Effects
The main differences between Breo and Symbicort in regard to side effects relate to the type of medication. Breo is an inhaled corticosteroid, which can cause breathing difficulty, wheezing, or hoarse voice.
Symbicort is a combination inhaler with a long-acting bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid. Potential side effects of Symbicort include an increase in blood pressure or heart rate, chest pain, and increased risk of pneumonia and thrush.
Both medications can cause dizziness and headache, but Breo is more likely to cause dry mouth, while Symbicort is more likely to cause nausea. Patients should talk to their doctor to determine which medication is best for them in treating COPD and to manage any potential side effects that may arise.
Dosage
Breo comes in a box containing a single inhaler that contains a combination of two substances – vilanterol and fluticasone furoate. This combination is to be taken twice daily.
On the other hand, Symbicort comes in a box containing two inhalers – one containing budesonide and the other containing formoterol. This combination is to be taken once a day, and spacers should be used with the inhaler to help administer the medication more effectively.
In some cases, the dose of Breo or Symbicort may be increased, depending on the patient’s condition. It is important for patients to talk to their health professional about the correct dosing for their condition based on their health history and any other medications they may take.
Cost
When it comes to cost comparisons between Breo and Symbicort, there are a few differences. Generally, Breo is the more affordable option, costing around $130-$290 per month depending on the dosage.
Symbicort, on the other hand, can cost up to $490 a month. Although Symbicort is more costly, it contains a higher dose of two active ingredients than Breo, which may make it particularly beneficial for individuals with more severe asthma.
Some health programs are lowering the cost of Symbicort, so it’s worth looking into. Your doctor will likely be able to recommend the best option for you, and it’s a good idea to talk to your insurance too in order to make sure you have the most cost-effective coverage.
The Comparison Between Breo vs Symbicort
Breo vs Symbicort are both excellent medication options for controlling the symptoms of asthma and COPD. Breo is a once-daily medication, while Symbicort is an inhaled steroid with two active ingredients.
Both medications provide effective relief and have minimal side effects. Speak to your doctor to determine which treatment is best for you.
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