Advair (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol) and Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) are brand-name prescription medications. They’re approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The key differences and similarities between Advair and Symbicort are explained in this article. If you’re considering treatment with one of these inhalers, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide whether one of these treatment options may be right for you.
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to these Advair and Symbicort articles.
Key differences between Advair and Symbicort
These are a few of the main differences between Advair and Symbicort:
- Form. Advair comes in two versions: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler. Advair HFA and Symbicort are aerosol inhalers.
- Dosage. Advair Diskus requires one puff per dose, while Advair HFA and Symbicort require two puffs per dose.
For more dosage information about these two drugs, see “Dosages, forms, and administration” below.
Here’s information about the generic status of Advair and Symbicort, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Advair | Symbicort | |
| Generic available | • Advair Diskus: yes • Advair HFA: no | yes |
| Active ingredients | fluticasone propionate/salmeterol | budesonide/formoterol |
| Drug class | inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) | ICS/LABA |
Advair and Symbicort have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following.
- Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, and Symbicort are FDA-approved to treat:
- asthma in adults
- Advair Diskus and Symbicort are also FDA-approved to treat:
Advair or Symbicort and children
The FDA has approved Advair and Symbicort to treat the following in children.
- Advair Diskus is FDA-approved to treat:
- asthma in children ages 4 years and older
- Advair HFA is also FDA-approved to treat:
- asthma in children ages 12 years and older
- Symbicort is also FDA-approved to treat:
- asthma in children ages 6 years and older
Note: Advair and Symbicort have a limitation of use. Neither drug is approved to treat a condition called acute bronchospasm (sudden tightening of your airways). For more information about the drugs’ uses, see these articles about Advair and Symbicort.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Advair and Symbicort for the conditions both drugs treat. In the tables below, micrograms are abbreviated as mcg.
Dosage for asthma
Below are the dosages of Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, and Symbicort for asthma in adults.
| Advair for asthma in adults | Symbicort for asthma in adults | |
| Forms | • Advair Diskus: dry powder inhaler that contains 60 puffs • Advair HFA: aerosol inhaler that contains either 60 or 120 puffs | aerosol inhaler that contains either 60 or 120 puffs |
| Strengths | Advair Diskus (per inhalation): • 100 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol • 250 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol • 500 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol Advair HFA (per inhalation): • 45 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol • 115 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol • 230 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol | • 80 mcg budesonide/4.5 mcg formoterol • 160 mcg budesonide/4.5 mcg formoterol |
| Dose | • Advair Diskus: one puff • Advair HFA: two puffs | two puffs |
| Frequency | • Advair Diskus: twice daily • Advair HFA: twice daily | twice daily |
| Given by | self (see below) | self (see below) |
A healthcare professional will show you how to use Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, or Symbicort.
If your doctor prescribes Advair, they can help determine whether Advair Diskus or Advair HFA is right for you. You may find one type of inhaler easier to use than the other.
Dosage for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Below are the dosages of Advair Diskus and Symbicort for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.
| Advair for COPD in adults | Symbicort for COPD in adults | |
| Forms | Advair Diskus: dry powder inhaler that contains 60 puffs | aerosol inhaler that contains either 60 or 120 puffs |
| Strengths | Advair Diskus (per inhalation): • 100 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol • 250 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol • 500 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol | • 80 mcg budesonide/4.5 mcg formoterol • 160 mcg budesonide/4.5 mcg formoterol |
| Dose | Advair Diskus: one puff | two puffs |
| Frequency | Advair Diskus: twice daily | twice daily |
| Given by | self (see below) | self (see below) |
A healthcare professional will show you how to use Advair Diskus or Symbicort.
Children’s dosage
Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, and Symbicort are approved to treat asthma in children ages 12 years and older. (Advair Diskus and Symbicort are also approved to treat the condition in some younger children. For details, see “Uses of Advair vs. Symbicort” above.)
Dosage for asthma in children
Below are the dosages of Advair and Symbicort for asthma in children ages 12 years and older.
| Advair for asthma in certain children | Symbicort for asthma in certain children | |
| Forms | • Advair Diskus: dry powder inhaler that contains 60 puffs • Advair HFA: aerosol inhaler that contains either 60 or 120 puffs | aerosol inhaler that contains either 60 or 120 puffs |
| Strengths | Advair Diskus (per inhalation): • 100 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol • 250 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol • 500 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol Advair HFA (per inhalation): • 45 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol • 115 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol • 230 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol | • 80 mcg budesonide/4.5 mcg formoterol • 160 mcg budesonide/4.5 mcg formoterol |
| Dose | • Advair Diskus: one puff • Advair HFA: two puffs | two puffs |
| Frequency | • Advair Diskus: twice daily • Advair HFA: twice daily | twice daily |
| Given by | self (see below) | self (see below) |
A healthcare professional will show you and your child how to use Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, or Symbicort.
If your doctor prescribes Advair, they can help determine whether Advair Diskus or Advair HFA is right for your child. They may find one type of inhaler easier to use than the other.
Both Advair and Symbicort contain an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned below.
For more details about side effects of the two drugs, see our articles about Advair and Symbicort. You can also refer to the prescribing information for the form of Advair you’re prescribed (Advair Diskus or Advair HFA) and Symbicort.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Advair and Symbicort. The table may also include less common mild side effects that you might have concerns about in some cases.
| Mild side effects | Advair | Symbicort |
| nausea and vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild oral thrush (a fungal infection that occurs in the mouth) | ✓ | ✓ |
| hoarseness | ✓ | |
| upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold | ✓ | ✓ |
| cough | ✓ | |
| muscle and bone pain | ✓ | |
| dizziness | ✓ | |
| throat irritation or soreness | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction* | ✓ | ✓ |
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Allergic reaction occurred with Advair Diskus. And an allergic reaction is possible after using Advair HFA or Symbicort. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, or Symbicort. Allergic reaction has been reported since the three drugs became available for prescription.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Advair and Symbicort.
| Serious side effects | Advair | Symbicort |
| severe oral thrush (a fungal infection that occurs in the mouth) | ✓ | ✓ |
| reduced activity of the immune system | ✓ | ✓ |
| pneumonia | ✓ | ✓ |
| reduced bone mineral density | ✓ | ✓ |
| eye problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts | ✓ | ✓ |
| adrenal insufficiency (a condition that causes the adrenal glands to produce lower levels of certain hormones, such as cortisol) | ✓ | ✓ |
| paradoxical bronchospasm (tightening of the airways after taking a drug that’s not expected to cause this effect) | ✓ | ✓ |
| high level of white blood cells called eosinophils | ✓ | ✓ |
| low level of potassium in the blood | ✓ | ✓ |
| high blood sugar level | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe allergic reaction* | ✓ | ✓ |
If you have serious side effects with Advair or Symbicort, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
* Allergic reaction occurred with Advair Diskus. And an allergic reaction is possible after using Advair HFA or Symbicort. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, or Symbicort. Allergic reaction has been reported since the three drugs became available for prescription.
Below are answers to some common questions about Advair and Symbicort.
Can Advair and Symbicort be used together?
No, Advair and Symbicort aren’t typically used together.
This is because both medications contain the same types of drugs: an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). Using Advair and Symbicort together would essentially mean that you’re using two ICSs and two LABAs. Doing so could increase the risk of side effects from either drug.
For lists of possible side effects from these medications, see “Side effects of Advair vs. Symbicort” above. You can also refer to these articles about Advair and Symbicort.
If you have additional questions about Advair or Symbicort, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How do other similar drugs, such as Dulera, compare with Advair and Symbicort?
Advair, Symbicort, and similar drugs are alike and different in a number of ways.
Medications similar to Advair and Symbicort include:
Advair, Symbicort, Dulera, and Breo contain types of drugs called an ICS and a LABA. Flovent contains an ICS but not a LABA.
Advair is available in two forms: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Flovent is also available in two forms: Flovent Diskus and Flovent HFA. The following table shows which type of inhalers these drugs, Dulera, Breo, and Symbicort are.
| Dry powder inhaler | Aerosol inhaler | |
| Advair Diskus | ✓ | |
| Advair HFA | ✓ | |
| Flovent Diskus | ✓ | |
| Flovent HFA | ✓ | |
| Dulera | ✓ | |
| Breo | ✓ | |
| Symbicort | ✓ |
All these medications are used to treat asthma. However, Advair Diskus, Symbicort, and Breo are also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
To learn more about how Advair and Symbicort compare with other medications, talk with your doctor.
Are there reasons why Advair might be a better treatment option than Symbicort, or vice versa?
Yes, certain factors could make one inhaler a better treatment option than the other.
In general, Advair and Symbicort are similar. They’re both used to treat asthma and COPD. And both medications contain the same types of drugs: an ICS and a LABA.
However, you may find one type of inhaler easier to use than the other. For example, both Advair Diskus and Symbicort are approved to treat COPD. Advair Diskus comes as a dry powder inhaler, while Symbicort comes as an aerosol inhaler. With a dry powder inhaler, you inhale a dose. With an aerosol inhaler, you must press the canister while inhaling.
Your doctor can talk with you about the important differences between Advair and Symbicort. They can help you decide which treatment option may be better for you.
Keep reading to learn about the effectiveness of Advair and Symbicort.
Prescribing information. For information about how these drugs performed in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, and Symbicort. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines. Another way to determine whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective.
Treatment guidelines for asthma and COPD recommend use of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) in certain situations. Both Advair and Symbicort contain an ICS and LABA as their active ingredients.
How much Advair or Symbicort costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy. You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Advair and Symbicort.
Advair’s two versions (Advair Diskus and Advair HFA) and Symbicort are brand-name drugs. Advair Diskus and Symbicort also come in generic forms. Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the generic form of either drug.
Advair and Symbicort may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. Some of these precautions are mentioned below.
Precautions
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Advair or Symbicort.
| Precaution | Advair | Symbicort |
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a cardiovascular problem, including high blood pressure | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have an infection | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have seizures | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have diabetes | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a thyroid problem, such as thyrotoxicosis (a condition that causes too much thyroid hormone in your body) | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have sudden worsening of your asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have glaucoma or cataracts | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a liver problem, such as liver failure | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have osteoporosis | ✓ | ✓ |
Switching between Advair and Symbicort is possible.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Advair and Symbicort, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation.
Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently. It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
Some key points to remember when comparing Advair and Symbicort include:
- Advair is available in two forms called Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Advair Diskus is a dry powder inhaler, and Advair HFA is an aerosol inhaler. Symbicort is also an aerosol inhaler.
- When using Advair Diskus, only one puff per dose is needed. When using Advair HFA and Symbicort, two puffs per dose are needed.
If you’d like to learn more about Advair or Symbicort, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about similarities and differences between the drugs. They can also help determine whether one drug or the other might work well for you.
Note: For more information about the conditions these drugs treat, see our asthma and allergies hub and COPD hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.