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aclidinium vs budesonide/formoterol

Side-by-side comparison of aclidinium and budesonide/formoterol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
aclidinium Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA)
budesonide/formoterol Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination
Type
aclidinium Prescription
budesonide/formoterol Prescription
Summary
aclidinium

No summary available.

budesonide/formoterol

Symbicort is a combination medicine that contains a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps to control asthma and COPD symptoms.

What It Treats
aclidinium

Information not available.

budesonide/formoterol

Symbicort is used to treat asthma in people 6 years and older. It can help control asthma long-term. Symbicort 160/4.5 is also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It helps to improve airflow and reduce flare-ups.

How It Works
aclidinium

Information not available.

budesonide/formoterol

Symbicort contains two medicines. Budesonide reduces inflammation in the lungs. Formoterol relaxes the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.

Common Side Effects
aclidinium
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Headache
  • Back pain
budesonide/formoterol
  • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
  • Headache
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Sore throat
  • Sinusitis
FAERS Reports
aclidinium
  • Difficulty breathing 1,869
  • Inhaler not working correctly 1,281
  • Skipped a dose of medicine 1,017
  • Asthma 814
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 764
budesonide/formoterol
  • Difficulty breathing 6,363
  • Asthma 4,697
  • Tiredness 3,354
  • Cough 3,164
  • Headache 2,978
Serious Warnings
aclidinium

No specific warnings noted.

budesonide/formoterol

Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) like formoterol may increase the risk of asthma-related death if used alone. Do not use Symbicort to treat sudden asthma symptoms. Symbicort can also increase your risk of pneumonia, especially if you have COPD. Tell your doctor if you have signs of pneumonia like fever, cough, or increased mucus production.

Pregnancy
aclidinium

No pregnancy information available.

budesonide/formoterol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Symbicort will harm your unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is also not known if Symbicort passes into breast milk.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aclidinium vs budesonide/formoterol Comparison

aclidinium is classified in the Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA) drug class, while budesonide/formoterol sits within the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aclidinium has 5,745 submissions while budesonide/formoterol has 20,556. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between aclidinium and budesonide/formoterol - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.