Symbicort alternatives: what to try and when

Frustrated with Symbicort or curious about other options? Symbicort (budesonide + formoterol) is great for many people, but there are several alternatives if you need a different device, lower cost, or a treatment that fits your symptoms better. Below I’ll walk you through real options and how to pick one without overloading you with medical jargon.

Common inhaler alternatives

If you want another combination inhaler like Symbicort, these are the main players:

- Advair (fluticasone + salmeterol): Long-used combo for asthma and COPD. It works well but uses a different LABA (salmeterol) and often a different inhaler style.

- Dulera (mometasone + formoterol): Very similar to Symbicort because it pairs formoterol with a different steroid. Good if you like formoterol’s quick action.

- Breo Ellipta (fluticasone + vilanterol): Once-daily option that some people prefer for convenience.

- Trelegy (fluticasone + umeclidinium + vilanterol): Triple therapy—steroid + LABA + LAMA—used when COPD or severe asthma needs stronger control.

If you don’t need a LABA/ICS combo, other options include inhaled steroid alone (for mild disease), LAMA bronchodilators like Spiriva (tiotropium) for COPD, or short-acting inhalers for rescue relief.

Non-inhaler and specialist options

For severe asthma not controlled by inhalers, newer biologic drugs (omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab) can cut attacks and steroid use. These require specialist assessment and injections, not inhalers. Oral alternatives like montelukast (a pill) can help some people but usually don’t replace inhaled therapy.

Want to know which is right for you? Think about these quick checks: how often you use your rescue inhaler, how many flare-ups you’ve had, your COPD vs asthma diagnosis, and whether you can use a DPI vs an MDI. Device fit matters: a drug only works if you inhale it correctly. Ask your clinician to watch your technique.

Cost and access are real concerns. Generics for budesonide/formoterol are available in many places and can save money. Some inhalers offer savings programs. If you buy online, use a reputable pharmacy and keep your prescription—avoid sites that sell without one.

Practical switching tips: don’t stop Symbicort suddenly without a plan. Talk to your doctor, get a clear step-down or step-up plan, and schedule follow-up checks or spirometry. If side effects bother you (thrush, hoarseness, tremor), mention them—changing the steroid or device often helps.

Bottom line: plenty of good alternatives exist, from similar combo inhalers to biologics. Match the option to your symptoms, inhaler skill, and budget, and work with your clinician to switch safely.