Symbicort vs Advair
The drugs Symbicort and Advair are used to treat the symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) and asthma, which are: coughing, convulsions, wheezing and breathing disorder. Although these two medications have some similar properties, their active components are different. Also taking these medications may cause the occurrence of different side effects.
The drugs Advair and Symbicort are proprietary combination medications that combine a corticosteroid with another medicine. This medicine is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. Corticosteroid acts in such a way that it helps to reduce the lungs inflammation. The drug Advair includes fluticasone, while the drug Symbicort employs corticosteroid budesonide. The prolonged beta2-adrenergic agonist in any of these drugs promotes muscle relaxation around the lungs airways. As for the drug Advair, its substance is salmeterol, and as for Symbicort, it is formoterol.
The drug Advair is available in two forms: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Advair HFA represents an aerosol inhaler. It contains a propellant, which is intended to help the drug to access to your lungs. Advair Diskus is a drug, containing powder. If you use it, you need to take deep and rapid breaths to help the drug to access to your lungs faster and easier. The Symbicort drug is produced in the form of a medication in a metered-dose inhaler.
Advair HFA and Symbicort can be used by the patients only at the age of 12 years and older, while the drug Advair Diskus is approved for use by the patients aged 4 years and older. As for the drug Advair, it is used by the patients of a wider age range.
All these drugs are intended for continuous use.
As for the side effects that these drugs can cause, most of them are the same, concerning the drugs Advair and Symbicort. The most wide-spread of them occur within children, taking the drug Advair Diskus. They usually include the throat, ear and nose infections.
Taking the drug Advair may give rise to the following side effects: hoarseness and voice problems, muscle and bone pain, cough, bronchitis.
Taking the drug Symbicort may cause the development of the following side effects: sinusitis, throat pain, flu, stomach disorder, back pain, stuffy nose.
The drugs Advair and Symbicort interact with similar substances. Interaction is when the drug effect may be changed if this drug is used with other medicines. It can disrupt the positive effect of the drug and harm the patient's health. You should consult a medical specialist, in order to find out the information about the substances that the drug interacts.
If you have any health problems, taking the drugs Symbicort and Advair can cause the occurrence of various side effects such as: high blood pressure, heart disorder, diabetes, seizures, thyroid problems, osteoporosis, liver problems, glaucoma and cataracts, immune system disorder, allergic reactions, caused by the ingredients of the drug. Before taking any medications, you should discuss this with your doctor and get all the necessary recommendations.
The drugs Advair and Symbicort have a lot of similarities in their actions and the ability to treat the symptoms of COPD and asthma. Though, they have some differences in their cost, side effects and active components, it can become determining for you. If your doctor believes that these medications are a suitable in your case, then you should find out all the information about them and choose the drug that suits you best.