Singulair vs. Symbicort

Singulair (montelukast) and Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) are used to treat asthma.

Singulair is also used to treat allergic rhinitis and for prevention of exercise-induced narrowing of the airways.

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

Singulair and Symbicort belong to different drug classes. Singulair is a leukotriene receptor antagonist and Symbicort is a combination of a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

Side effects of Singulair and Symbicort that are similar include headache, stomach pain or upset, nausea, diarrhea, stuffy nose, and sore throat.

Side effects of Singulair that are different from Symbicort include skin rash, mood changes, tremors, heartburn, tooth pain, tiredness, fever, cough, and hoarseness.

Side effects of Symbicort that are different from Singulair include vomiting, back pain, muscle or joint pain, or changes in your voice.

Singulair may interact with phenobarbital or rifampin.

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

Common side effects of Singulair include:

• skin rash,
• mood changes,
• tremors,
• headache,
• stomach pain,
• heartburn,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• tooth pain,
• tiredness,
• fever,
• stuffy nose,
• sore throat,
• cough,
• and hoarseness.

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).

Singulair (montelukast) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist drug used in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Singulair is also indicated for prevention of exercise-induced narrowing of the airways.

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.

Singulair may interact with phenobarbital or rifampin

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 following doses of Singulair are recommended: For adults and adolescents 15 years of age and older: one 10-mg tablet. For pediatric patients 6 to 14 years of age: one 5-mg chewable tablet. For pediatric patients 2 to 5 years of age: one 4-mg chewable tablet or one packet of 4-mg oral granules. For pediatric patients 12 to 23 months of age: one packet of 4-mg oral granules. Singulair may interact with phenobarbital or rifampin.

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