Drug Name: Beclomethasone Dipropionate

Brand Name: QVAR® RediHaler™

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Breath actuated inhalation aerosol

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

Possible Side Effects:
Yeast infection in the mouth
Cold symptoms (upper respiratory tract infection)
Pain in the throat
Pain or swelling in your nose and throat
Sinusitis
Allergic rhinitis

Notes/Resources:
How To Use QVAR RediHaler
QVAR RediHaler Videos & Resources

Drug Name: Benralizumab

Brand Name: FASENRA®

Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control

Type of Medicine: Biologic

Form: Injection

Prescribing Info: FASENRA (benralizumab) injection prescribing information insert

Possible Side Effects:
Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis
Headache
Sore throat

Notes/Resources:
FASENRA is a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma.
Learn about benralizumab (FASENRA®) in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Drug Name: Budesonide

Brand Name: Pulmicort Flexhaler®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Possible Side Effects:
Sore nose and throat
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Nausea
Hay fever
Viral upper respiratory tract infection
Viral irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestine
Ear infections

Drug Name: Budesonide

Brand Name: Pulmicort RESPULES®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Nebulizer solution

Possible Side Effects:
Respiratory infections
Runny nose
Cough
Viral infections
Viral irritation/inflammation of stomach and intestine
Ear infections
Nosebleed
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Rash

Notes/Resources:
How To Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices – See nebulizer instructions

Drug Name: Budesonide/Formoterol

Brand Name: Breyna™

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: breyna.com

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

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

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: Ciclesonide

Brand Name: Alvesco®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: https://www.alvesco.us/

Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Swelling of nose and throat
Sinusitis
Throat pain
Upper respiratory infection
Joint pain
Nasal congestion
Arm/leg/back pain

Notes/Resources:
How To Use Alvesco

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: Cromolyn Sodium

Brand Name: Generic of Intal

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Mast cell stabilizer

Form: Nebulizer solution

Prescribing Info:

Possible Side Effects:
Wheezing
Cough
Nasal congestion
Sneezing

Notes/Resources:
How to Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices – See Nebulizer Instructions

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