budesonide/formoterol vs fluticasone/vilanterol
Side-by-side comparison of budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/vilanterol Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Symbicort
Breo Ellipta
Symbicort is a combination medicine that contains a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps to control asthma and COPD symptoms.
Breo Ellipta is a medicine that contains a corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist. It is used to help control symptoms of COPD and asthma.
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.
Breo Ellipta is used to treat COPD in adults. It is also used to treat asthma in people ages 5 and older. This medicine helps to improve your breathing by reducing inflammation and opening airways.
Symbicort contains two medicines. Budesonide reduces inflammation in the lungs. Formoterol relaxes the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.
Breo Ellipta contains two medicines. Fluticasone furoate reduces inflammation in the lungs. Vilanterol helps to relax the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.
- • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Sore throat
- • Sinusitis
- • Sore throat
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Headache
- • Mouth infection (oral candidiasis)
- • Back pain
- Difficulty breathing 6,363
- Medicine not working 6,020
- Using medicine for unapproved purpose 5,695
- Asthma 4,697
- Tiredness 3,354
No adverse event reports.
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.
LABA medicines such as vilanterol, when used alone, increase the risk of asthma-related death. Breo Ellipta should not be used to treat sudden breathing problems. Do not use Breo Ellipta with other medicines that contain a LABA.
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.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Breo Ellipta will harm your unborn baby. Breo Ellipta should be used during late pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
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How to Read This budesonide/formoterol vs fluticasone/vilanterol Comparison
budesonide/formoterol is classified in the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination drug class, while fluticasone/vilanterol sits within the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, budesonide/formoterol has 26,129 submissions while fluticasone/vilanterol has 0. 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 budesonide/formoterol and fluticasone/vilanterol — 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.