cyndi asked
I am considering taking Breo to help control my asthma. What side effects does Breo cause compared to Symbicort?
Answer
Breo and Symbicort are both combination ingredient inhalers used for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to reduce COPD exacerbations. Although similar and both considered first-line therapy for COPD patients with a high risk of exacerbation according to the Global Initiative For Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, they do have some key differences, discussed below.
Breo Vs. Symbicort: Active Ingredients
- Breo contains the following two active ingredients:
- Fluticasone
- Vilanterol
- Symbicort contains the following two active ingredients
- Budesonide
- Formoterol
Both Symbicort and Breo are a combination of a steroid (fluticasone and budesonide) and a long-acting beta-agonist (vilanterol and formoterol). The steroids help to reduce inflammation and secretions while the long acting beta agonists reduce smooth muscle contractions.
Breo Vs. Symbicort: Dosing
One of the main differences between Breo and Symbicort is the dosing schedule:
- Breo is dosed once-daily
- Symbicort is dosed twice-daily
Breo Vs. Symbicort: Devices
- Breo is a DPI (dry powder inhaler). Upon use, a blister containing the powdered medicine is opened and inhaled. Dry powder inhalers require the user the inhale rather forcefully and over a period of a few seconds to consume the entire dose.
- Symbicort is a HFA inhaler and works in a similar way to albuterol inhalers. The user simply needs to push down on the actuator and a dose of medication is delivered.
Breo Vs. Symbicort: Indications
- Breo is FDA-approved only for adults age 18 and older.
- Symbicort is FDA-approved for children 6 years and older as well as for adults.
Breo Vs. Symbicort: Adverse Effects
Side effect profiles for Breo and Symbicort are similar and no one agent is recommended over the other when it comes to side effects. Side effects can include:
- Headache
- Decreased ability to fight infection
- Oral thrush
- Nasopharyngitis
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Sinusitis
- Bronchitis
- Cough
- Back pain
As Breo and Symbicort contain steroids, it is important to rinse your mouth out after every dose to prevent oral thrush (fungal) infections.
Breo Vs. Symbicort: Efficacy
There have been no head to head studies comparing Breo to Symbicort. However, both Breo and Symbicort have show superior effiacy in reducing COPD exacerbations when comapred to steroids alone.
Summary
Breo and Symbicort are similar medications and both contain a combination of a steroid and long-acting beta agonist. The main differences are:
- Breo is a dry powder inhaler while Symbicort is a HFA inhaler.
- Breo is dosed once daily while Symbicort is dosed twice daily.
