Drug Name: Budesonide/Formoterol

Brand Name: Symbicort®

Medicine Use: Long-term control, Quick Relief, or Both

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: https://www.mysymbicort.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Throat irritation
Headache
Upper respiratory tract infection
Throat pain
Sinusitis
Flu
Back pain
Nasal congestion
Stomach discomfort
Vomiting
Thrush

You may experience other side effects if you have COPD. For more information, please see the SYMBICORT prescribing information.

Notes/Resources:
Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) Combination Medicines: Quick-Relief and Controller Medicine Combined: A combination inhaler that contains both formoterol and budesonide may be used as both a quick-relief and a controller medicine. This may be prescribed to be taken daily to prevent symptoms, as needed for sudden symptoms, or both. Note: As of January 2022, this is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a quick-relief medicine. However, the National Institutes of Health does recommend the use of formoterol-budesonide in a stepwise approach for asthma management (2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines).
About Symbicort

As of June 1, 2024, AstraZeneca has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. Here are ways you may be able to save on this medicine:

• Commercially insured and covered: You can pay as little as $0 for AIRSUPRA and BREZTRI and pay no more than $35 for SYMBICORT and BEVESPI using the savings cards provided on brand websites.
  • Here are the website links to access the savings cards: AIRSUPRA, BEVESPI, BREZTRI, and SYMBICORT
• Commercially insured but AstraZeneca inhaler is not covered in your plan: You or your health care providers can request a prior authorization or ask your doctor about a therapeutic alternative.
• Uninsured: if eligible, you can use the $35 uninsured savings card accessible on the US Patient Support site.
• Government insured (Medicare/Medicaid):  Federal law prohibits people on government programs from using a savings card, which is why they may be directed to AZ&Me. Qualifications for AZ&Me are based on where you live, insurance status, and income.
• For additional questions or more information, visit AstraZeneca’s patient support site or call: 1-800-236-9933

Drug Name: Cortisone Acetate

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid

Form: Tablet

Prescribing Info:

Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Muscle and bone weakness
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Skin changes
Neurological changes like seizures and headaches
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, and menstrual changes
Vision problems

Drug Name: Dexamethasone

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid

Form: Tablet, Liquid

Prescribing Info: ​

Possible Side Effects:
Allergic reactions
Increased heart rate/pressure
Skin changes
Endocrine changes like diabetes and menstrual changes
Weight gain/swelling
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Appetite changes
Muscle and bone weakness
Neurological changes like headaches, mood swings, and trouble sleeping
Vision problems

Drug Name: Hydrocortisone

Brand Name: Cortef®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids

Form: Tablet, Liquid

Prescribing Info: pfizer.com

Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Muscle and bone weakness
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Skin changes
Neurological changes like seizures and headaches
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, and menstrual changes
Vision problems
Blood and lymphatic system disorders, like high white blood cell count

Drug Name: Hydrocortisone

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid

Form: Tablet, Liquid

Prescribing Info: 

Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Muscle and bone weakness
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Skin changes
Neurological changes like seizures and headaches
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, and menstrual changes
Vision problems
Blood and lymphatic system disorders, like high white blood cell count

Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide

Brand Name: ATROVENT® HFA

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Anticholinergic

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: https://www.atrovent.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Bronchitis
Shortness of breath
Headache

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

As of June 1, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. Here are ways you may be able to save on this medicine:

• If you have commercial insurance and are eligible, the reduced out-of-pocket cost will be automatically applied at participating retail pharmacies. More than 90% of pharmacies across the country are participating in the program, making the change seamless and automatic for most people. There are no forms to fill out or websites to go to – the discount happens electronically with no action required.
• All other eligible people, including those whose pharmacies do not participate and people without insurance, can visit www.InhalerOffer.com to enroll for a savings card to present at pharmacies to receive the same $35 cap of out-of-pocket costs.
• Federal law prevents people on government insurance programs (Medicare/Medicaid/TriCare) from being eligible for this price cap program.

Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate

Brand Name: COMBIVENT® Respimat®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled-medicine

Form: Soft mist inhaler

Prescribing Info: https://www.combivent.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Infections of the ears, nose and throat
Runny nose
Cough
Bronchitis
Headache
Shortness of breath

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

As of June 1, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. Here are ways you may be able to save on this medicine:

• If you have commercial insurance and are eligible, the reduced out-of-pocket cost will be automatically applied at participating retail pharmacies. More than 90% of pharmacies across the country are participating in the program, making the change seamless and automatic for most people. There are no forms to fill out or websites to go to – the discount happens electronically with no action required.
• All other eligible people, including those whose pharmacies do not participate and people without insurance, can visit www.InhalerOffer.com to enroll for a savings card to present at pharmacies to receive the same $35 cap of out-of-pocket costs.
• Federal law prevents people on government insurance programs (Medicare/Medicaid/TriCare) from being eligible for this price cap program.

Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate

Brand Name: DuoNeb®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Nebulizer solution

Prescribing Info: viatris.com

Possible Side Effects:
Lung disease
Sore throat
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Bronchitis
Urinary tract infection
Leg cramps
Nausea
Constipation
Upset stomach
Voice changes
Pain

Drug Name: Levalbuterol HCl

Brand Name: Generic of Xopenex HFA

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: http://www.xopenex.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Accidental injury
Bronchitis
Dizziness
Pain
Sore throat
Runny nose
Vomiting
Palpitations
Chest pain
Fast heartrate
Nervousness
Muscle tremors

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

Drug Name: Levalbuterol HCl

Brand Name: Xopenex HFA®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonists

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: http://www.xopenex.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Accidental injury
Bronchitis
Dizziness
Pain
Sore throat
Runny nose
Vomiting
Palpitations
Chest pain
Fast heartrate
Nervousness
Muscle tremors