budesonide/formoterol vs formoterol
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Side-by-side comparison of budesonide/formoterol and formoterol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
May potentiate effect of formoterol on vascular system. 7.2 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants SYMBICORT should be administered with caution to patients being treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of such agents, because the action of formoterol, a component of SYMBICORT, on the vascular system may be potentiated by these agents. 7.3 Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blocking Agents Beta-blockers (including eye drops) may not only block the pulmonary effect of beta-agonists, such as formoterol, a...
Symbicort
Foradil, Perforomist
Symbicort is a combination medicine that contains a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps to control asthma and COPD symptoms.
Formoterol is a medicine that helps open your airways. It is used to make breathing easier for people with COPD.
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.
Formoterol inhalation solution is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This medicine helps to lessen the tightening of your airways, making it easier to breathe. It is for long-term use and should be taken twice a day.
Symbicort contains two medicines. Budesonide reduces inflammation in the lungs. Formoterol relaxes the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.
Formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It works by relaxing the muscles around your airways. This allows more air to flow in and out of your lungs.
- • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Sore throat
- • Sinusitis
- • Diarrhea
- • Nausea
- • Runny nose
- • Dry mouth
- • Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing 6,363
- Asthma 4,697
- Tiredness 3,354
- Cough 3,164
- Headache 2,978
- Difficulty breathing 1,076
- Asthma 1,032
- Cough 604
- Wheezing 543
- Pneumonia 416
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.
If you have asthma, you should not take formoterol without also using an inhaled corticosteroid medicine. Using formoterol alone for asthma can increase the risk of serious asthma problems, including death. Do not use formoterol to treat sudden breathing problems. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if formoterol will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using formoterol during pregnancy. It is also not known if formoterol passes into breast milk.
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How to Read This budesonide/formoterol vs formoterol Comparison
budesonide/formoterol is classified in the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination drug class, while formoterol sits within the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) 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, budesonide/formoterol has 20,556 submissions while formoterol has 3,671. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to these medicines can work together to increase the effects of formoterol on your heart and blood vessels. this can lead to changes in your heart rate or blood pressure.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for budesonide/formoterol or formoterol.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.