Qvar vs. Symbicort

Qvar (beclomethasone dipropionate) and Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) are used to prevent asthma attacks. Qvar will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Symbicort is also used to prevent bronchospasm in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Both Qvar and Symbicort contain a corticosteroid. Symbicort also contains a long-acting bronchodilator.

Side effects of Qvar and Symbicort that are similar include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, or deepened voice or changes in your voice.

Side effects of Qvar that are different from Symbicort include sinus pain, cough, dry mouth/nose/throat, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or hoarseness.

Side effects of Symbicort that are different from Qvar include diarrhea, back pain, or muscle or joint pain.

Qvar may interact with other drugs.

Symbicort may interact with antibiotics, antifungal medications, MAO inhibitors, antidepressants, beta-blockers, or diuretics (water pills).

Common side effects of Qvar include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• headache,
• sore throat,
• stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• dryness in your mouth/nose/throat after use,
• unpleasant taste in the mouth,
• hoarseness, or
• deepened voice.

Common side effects of Symbicort include:

• headache,
• throat irritation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• back pain,
• stuffy nose,
• muscle or joint pain, or
• changes in your voice.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Symbicort including:

• white patches on tongue or in mouth,
• signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat),
• mental/mood changes (such as nervousness),
• trouble sleeping,
• vision problems (such as blurred vision),
• increased thirst or urination,
• muscle cramps, or
• shaking (tremors).

Qvar (beclomethasone dipropionate) is a steroid used to prevent asthma attacks. Qvar will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun. Qvar is available in generic form.

Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator used to prevent bronchospasm in people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Symbicort combines an inhaled corticosteroid medicine, budesonide and a LABA medicine, formoterol.

• Inhaled corticosteroids help to decrease inflammation in the lungs. Inflammation in the lungs can lead to breathing problems.
• LABA medicines are used in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. LABA medicines help the muscles around the airways in your lungs stay relaxed to prevent symptoms such as wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can happen when the muscles around the airways tighten. This makes it hard to breathe. In severe cases, wheezing can stop your breathing and may lead to death if not treated right away.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Qvar should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. There are rare reports of harm to a fetus when the mother took other corticosteroids. Infants born to mothers who have been using high doses of beclomethasone for an extended time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Symbicort may interact with antibiotics, antifungal medication, MAO inhibitor, antidepressants, beta-blockers, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Symbicort should be used only when prescribed. Budesonide passes into breast milk. It is unknown if formoterol passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dose of Qvar is 40 to 320 mcg twice daily for adults and 40 to 80 mcg twice daily for children. If you are also using a bronchodilator, use it first before using the beclomethasone inhaler. There may be other drugs that can interact with Qvar..

For patients 12 years of age and older, the dosage of Symbicort is 2 inhalations twice daily (morning and evening, approximately 12 hours apart).