Compare Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD with Alternatives: What Works Best for Asthma and COPD
Asthma/COPD Inhaler Cost Calculator
Asthma/COPD Inhaler Cost Calculator
Calculate your potential savings when switching from brand-name Symbicort to the generic version of budesonide/formoterol.
If you’re using Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD, you know it’s a daily tool for keeping your breathing steady. It combines formoterol and budesonide-a long-acting bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid-in one device. But it’s not the only option. Costs rise. Insurance changes. Side effects pop up. You might be wondering: are there better, cheaper, or simpler alternatives? This isn’t about switching for fun. It’s about finding what actually works for your lungs, your budget, and your life.
What Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD Actually Does
Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD delivers 6 micrograms of formoterol and 100 micrograms of budesonide per puff. That’s the standard dose for mild to moderate asthma and COPD. You take two puffs twice a day. The formoterol opens your airways fast-within minutes. The budesonide quietly reduces swelling and mucus over time. Together, they prevent flare-ups and keep symptoms under control.
It’s not a rescue inhaler. You don’t use it when you’re wheezing or gasping. That’s what your albuterol inhaler is for. Symbicort is maintenance. It’s the daily shield.
People who use it regularly report fewer hospital visits, less nighttime coughing, and more ability to walk up stairs without stopping. But it’s not perfect. Some get throat irritation. Others notice a slight tremor or faster heartbeat. These aren’t rare-they happen in about 1 in 10 users.
Brand-Name Alternatives: Same Ingredients, Different Delivery
The exact same combo-formoterol and budesonide-is sold under other names. They work the same way. The difference is in how you use them.
Advair Diskus (fluticasone/salmeterol) is the most common comparison. It’s also a twice-daily maintenance inhaler. But here’s the catch: salmeterol takes longer to kick in than formoterol. If you need quick relief between doses, Symbicort’s formoterol gives you a slight edge. Advair’s steroid, fluticasone, is stronger per puff than budesonide, but it also has a higher risk of oral thrush if you don’t rinse your mouth.
Airsupra is newer. It’s the only inhaler approved for both maintenance and rescue use. It has albuterol and budesonide. That means you can use it for sudden symptoms AND as your daily controller. But it’s not a direct replacement for Symbicort. It’s for people who need rescue meds more than once a week. If you’re using your albuterol inhaler three times a week or more, Airsupra might cut your total inhalers down to one. But it’s pricier and not covered by all plans.
Generic Versions: The Cost-Saving Option
In 2024, the first generic version of Symbicort Turbuhaler hit Canadian and U.S. markets. It’s called budesonide/formoterol inhaler, and it’s identical in dose, delivery, and effectiveness. The Turbuhaler device is the same. The powder is the same. The clinical trials showed no difference in lung function or symptom control.
At a pharmacy in Halifax, the brand-name Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD costs around $110 without insurance. The generic? About $45. That’s more than 60% savings. Most public drug plans in Canada now cover the generic. Private insurers are catching up.
Some people worry generics are ‘weaker.’ They’re not. Health Canada and the FDA require generics to match brand-name drugs within 90-110% of the active ingredient. If your doctor prescribes Symbicort and you ask for the generic, you’re getting the same medicine.
Other Combination Inhalers: Different Steroids, Different Long-Acting Drugs
Not every combo inhaler uses formoterol and budesonide. Here’s how others stack up:
- Foster (beclomethasone/formoterol): Used more in Europe and Australia. Beclomethasone is an older steroid with less systemic absorption than budesonide. Might be better for people with mild steroid sensitivity.
- Relvar Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol): Taken once daily. That’s a big plus for people who forget pills or inhalers. Vilanterol lasts longer than formoterol. But it’s not approved for asthma rescue use. Also, it’s more expensive and harder to get covered.
- Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium/vilanterol): This one’s for COPD only. No steroid. So if you have asthma, skip it.
Each of these has trade-offs. Once-daily dosing sounds easier, but if you miss a dose, your protection drops faster. Twice-daily inhalers like Symbicort give you more consistent coverage. For people with irregular schedules, that consistency matters.
Single-Ingredient Inhalers: Why You Might Need Two
Some people try splitting Symbicort into two separate inhalers: one with just budesonide, one with just formoterol. It’s cheaper-sometimes half the cost. But it’s harder to manage. You have to remember two devices, two routines, two cleaning schedules. Studies show people are 30% more likely to miss doses when using two separate inhalers.
There’s one case where this makes sense: if you’re on a plan that covers one drug but not the other. Or if you’re allergic to an ingredient in the combo. But for most, the convenience of one device outweighs the cost savings.
Non-Inhaler Options: Pills, Nebulizers, and Biologics
Not everyone can use inhalers well. Older adults with shaky hands. Young kids who can’t coordinate breathing. People with severe COPD who need high doses.
Nebulizers turn liquid medicine into mist you breathe in. They’re slower and messier, but easier to use. You can get budesonide and formoterol in nebulizer form, but it’s not common. Most nebulizer treatments use albuterol or ipratropium.
Oral steroids like prednisone are for flare-ups only. Long-term use causes bone loss, weight gain, diabetes risk. Not a replacement for daily inhalers.
Biologics like dupilumab or omalizumab are injections for severe asthma. They target specific immune pathways. These are for people who still have attacks despite using high-dose inhalers. They cost thousands per year. You need specialist approval. Not a first-line alternative.
Choosing the Right Alternative for You
There’s no single ‘best’ alternative. It depends on your situation.
If cost is your biggest issue → go for the generic budesonide/formoterol. Same results. Half the price.
If you’re using rescue inhalers too often → talk to your doctor about Airsupra. One inhaler for both daily and rescue use.
If you forget doses → consider Relvar Ellipta (once daily). But only if your doctor confirms it’s safe for your condition.
If you have trouble using inhalers → ask about a spacer or nebulizer option. Many pharmacies offer free training.
Don’t switch on your own. Even small changes in steroid dose can trigger an asthma attack. Always check with your prescriber. Bring your current inhaler to your appointment. Show them how you use it. They can help you find the right fit.
Real Stories: What People Actually Do
Marie, 68, from Dartmouth, switched from Symbicort to the generic after her pension plan stopped covering the brand. She was nervous. After three months, her peak flow readings stayed the same. No coughing at night. She saved $700 a year.
James, 42, with severe asthma, tried Advair but kept getting oral thrush. He switched to Symbicort because budesonide is gentler on the throat. He rinses after every puff-no more fungus.
Lena, 29, used to take two inhalers: one for maintenance, one for rescue. She got tired of carrying both. Her doctor put her on Airsupra. Now she only carries one. She’s had fewer ER visits since.
These aren’t outliers. They’re people making smart, informed choices. You can too.
What to Ask Your Doctor
When you talk about alternatives, come prepared. Ask:
- Is there a generic version covered by my plan?
- Would switching to once-daily help me stick to my routine?
- Am I using my rescue inhaler too often? Should I consider Airsupra?
- Are there side effects I should watch for with this new option?
- Can you show me how to use the new device properly?
Don’t be shy. Your inhaler is your lifeline. If it’s not working for you, it’s not your fault. It’s just not the right tool yet.
Is the generic version of Symbicort Turbuhaler as effective as the brand name?
Yes. The generic version of Symbicort Turbuhaler contains the exact same active ingredients-budesonide and formoterol-in the same doses and uses the same Turbuhaler device. Health Canada and the FDA require generics to deliver the same clinical results as the brand. Studies show no difference in lung function, symptom control, or flare-up prevention. The only differences are in packaging and price.
Can I use Symbicort as a rescue inhaler during an asthma attack?
Symbicort contains formoterol, which works quickly-within 1-3 minutes. While it can be used for symptom relief in some cases, it’s not designed as a primary rescue inhaler. The official recommendation is to use a short-acting beta-agonist like albuterol for sudden symptoms. If you’re using Symbicort for rescue more than twice a week, your asthma isn’t well controlled, and you should talk to your doctor about adjusting your treatment plan.
Why does my doctor tell me to rinse my mouth after using Symbicort?
Budesonide, the steroid in Symbicort, can leave residue in your mouth and throat. This increases the risk of oral thrush-a fungal infection that causes white patches and soreness. Rinsing your mouth with water and spitting it out after each puff removes the residue. Brushing your teeth isn’t necessary, but rinsing is. Skipping this step is the most common reason people develop this side effect.
Is Airsupra a good replacement for Symbicort?
Airsupra is not a direct replacement-it’s a different tool. It contains albuterol and budesonide, so it can be used both for daily control and sudden symptoms. It’s best for people who need rescue inhalers more than twice a week. If you’re only using your rescue inhaler once a week or less, Symbicort is still the better maintenance option. Airsupra is also more expensive and not always covered by insurance.
Can I switch from Symbicort to Advair without my doctor’s approval?
No. Even though both are combination inhalers, they contain different drugs: Advair has fluticasone and salmeterol, while Symbicort has budesonide and formoterol. These drugs act differently in your body. Switching without medical supervision can lead to poor control, increased side effects, or dangerous withdrawal from steroids. Always consult your doctor before changing asthma or COPD medications.
Next Steps: What to Do Today
Check your inhaler prescription. Is it brand-name Symbicort? Ask your pharmacist if a generic is available and covered by your plan. It likely is.
Count how many times you’ve used your rescue inhaler this week. If it’s more than two, your maintenance plan might need adjusting. Write it down. Bring it to your next appointment.
If you’re struggling with the Turbuhaler device-too hard to inhale, too messy-ask for a spacer or a demonstration. Many pharmacies offer free inhaler training.
You don’t have to stick with what you were given. You have the right to a treatment that works, fits your life, and doesn’t break the bank. Start the conversation. Your lungs will thank you.