budesonide vs budesonide/formoterol
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Side-by-side comparison of budesonide 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.
minor Known Drug Interaction
(7.4) 7.1 Inhibitors of Cytochrome P4503A4 The main route of metabolism of corticosteroids, including budesonide, a component of SYMBICORT, is via cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme 3A4 (CYP3A4). After oral administration of ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, the mean plasma concentration of orally administered budesonide increased. Concomitant administration of CYP3A4 may inhibit the metabolism of, and increase the systemic exposure to, budesonide.
Pulmicort, Entocort
Symbicort
Budesonide nasal spray is a steroid medicine. It helps to relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.
Symbicort is a combination medicine that contains a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps to control asthma and COPD symptoms.
This medicine temporarily relieves allergy symptoms. It can help with nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy nose, and sneezing. These symptoms may be caused by hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies.
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.
Budesonide is a corticosteroid. It reduces inflammation in the nasal passages. This helps to relieve allergy symptoms.
Symbicort contains two medicines. Budesonide reduces inflammation in the lungs. Formoterol relaxes the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.
- • Headache
- • Cough
- • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
- • Headache
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Sore throat
- • Sinusitis
- Dyspnoea 6,364
- Asthma 4,695
- Fatigue 3,354
- Cough 3,164
- Headache 2,978
- Difficulty breathing 6,363
- Asthma 4,697
- Tiredness 3,354
- Cough 3,164
- Headache 2,978
The growth rate of some children may be slower while using this product. Talk to your child’s doctor if your child needs to use the spray for longer than two months a year. Do not spray into eyes or mouth. If allergy symptoms do not improve after two weeks, stop using and talk to a doctor.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using budesonide nasal spray during pregnancy. It is not known if budesonide passes into breast milk.
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
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How to Read This budesonide vs budesonide/formoterol Comparison
budesonide is classified in the Corticosteroid 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, budesonide has 20,555 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. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to certain medications can slow down how your body breaks down budesonide. this causes the drug to stay in your system longer and reach higher levels.. 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 or budesonide/formoterol.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.