Two medicines, side by side
Budesonide vs fluticasone
Budesonide and fluticasone are both labeled for asthma and allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of budesonide since 1994 and of fluticasone since 1990. Pharmacies paid $0.498 per budesonide DR 3 mg capsule and $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Budesonide's other strengths are brand-only: $3.29 per mL (Eohilia 2 mg/10 mL packet).
Check it at the source: the budesonide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 11, 2019); the fluticasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 2024).
Highlights of the budesonide record
Budesonide (Pulmicort) · label of October 11, 2019
Used for
From the label: indicationsPULMICORT RESPULES ® is an inhaled corticosteroid indicated for: • Maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children 12 months to 8 years of age ( 1 ) Limitations of Use: Not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm ( 1 ) 1.1 Maintenance Treatment of Asthma PULMICORT RESPULES is indicated for the maintenance treatment of asthma and as prophylactic therapy in children 12 months to 8 years of age. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 14, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.498 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the fluticasone record
Fluticasone (Flonase) · label of December 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves these symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • nasal congestion • itchy nose • runny nose • itchy, watery eyes • sneezing
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 14, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 71 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.243 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Budesonide label of October 11, 2019, Fluticasone label of December 19, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do budesonide and fluticasone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: budesonide since 2008; fluticasone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Budesonide | Fluticasone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, Allergies, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | Allergies, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | Budesonide is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that exhibits potent glucocorticoid activity and weak mineralocorticoid activity. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 14, 1994 | December 14, 1990 |
| First generic approved | November 18, 2008 | May 14, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 71 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.498 per capsule (Budesonide DR 3 mg capsule) | $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -0.1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 58,575 | 139,949 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to budesonide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions