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Generic Symbicort vs Brand name Symbicort?

Posted by scoop @scoop, Apr 2 10:47am

Symbicort is a combination inhaler that contains a long acting bronchodilator (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), formoterol and budesonide, respectively. It can be used for COPD and/or asthma. I believe the COPD dose is twice of that of the asthma dose but I could be wrong. I use it for asthma, one puff twice a day after lung clearance.

Question: how is the generic different than the brand name Symbicort? They are significantly different in price. Does anyone have experience with the generic?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 2 12:49pm

@scoop Last year, when my insurance company changed to copay for Symbicort to $100/month (up from $100 for 3 month), the generic was newly available for $5/month and I decided to try it. The only difference was how the inhaler fit my Vortex spacer - I decided for $95 a month I could "get over it."
Good thing too, because this year they stopped covering Symbicort completely, and require prior approval (and failure on 2 other asthma meds) for the generic version - it is called Breyna. And the new price for the generic is about $30/month. I won't complain - they wanted to charge my brother-in-law $270/month for the generic!
For those outside the US, or with access to meds in Mexico, AstraZeneca makes an equivalent med called Vannair. In Northern Mexico, I can purchase it for under $60.

Sue

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1 reply
scoop | @scoop | Apr 2 3:10pm

Good information, Sue, thank you!

There's always a bottleneck, and in healthcare now it's prescription medicine. Of course there are others but that's the one that's bugging me most now.

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pegs | @pegs | Apr 2 4:47pm
In reply to @sueinmn "@scoop Last year, when my insurance company changed to copay for Symbicort to $100/month (up from..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@scoop Last year, when my insurance company changed to copay for Symbicort to $100/month (up from $100 for 3 month), the generic was newly available for $5/month and I decided to try it. The only difference was how the inhaler fit my Vortex spacer - I decided for $95 a month I could "get over it."
Good thing too, because this year they stopped covering Symbicort completely, and require prior approval (and failure on 2 other asthma meds) for the generic version - it is called Breyna. And the new price for the generic is about $30/month. I won't complain - they wanted to charge my brother-in-law $270/month for the generic!
For those outside the US, or with access to meds in Mexico, AstraZeneca makes an equivalent med called Vannair. In Northern Mexico, I can purchase it for under $60.

Sue

Jump to this post

The same thing happened to me too. I went to pick up a Symbicort refill yesterday and they gave me Brenya for $89./mo. (I was getting Symbicort generic from India through a Canadian Rx, but the shipments were totally unreliable so I'm going with the Brenya.) I did notice the reviews for Brenya were not that great compared to Symbicort. Insurance companies make big $$ off of us all big time. Just hoping the product does what it's supposed to. It's a challenge for sure.

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sori | @sori | Apr 2 8:59pm

I use Breyna that is the generic version of Symbicort. I pay $11.00 at CVS for 30 days supply (one inhaler). If I do mail order with Express Scripts, I pay $22.00 for 90 days supply (3 inhalers).

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 3 9:06am
In reply to @sori "I use Breyna that is the generic version of Symbicort. I pay $11.00 at CVS for..." + (show)
@sori

I use Breyna that is the generic version of Symbicort. I pay $11.00 at CVS for 30 days supply (one inhaler). If I do mail order with Express Scripts, I pay $22.00 for 90 days supply (3 inhalers).

Jump to this post

You have great prescription coverage! Mine used to be like that, but copays have been "inching upwards" for a few years, and this year they also started adding more restrictions.
Sue

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dstella | @dstella | Apr 4 7:10am

I’m supposed to be using Symbicort for my asthma but, I’m too nervous the steroid component will worsen my MAC.
Any thoughts?
Thank you!

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ljostroga1973 | @ljostroga1973 | Apr 5 9:14am

My infectious disease doctor said steroids worsen MAC on me. He was not pleased the pulmonologist put me on it

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2 replies
scoop | @scoop | Apr 5 10:13am
In reply to @ljostroga1973 "My infectious disease doctor said steroids worsen MAC on me. He was not pleased the pulmonologist..." + (show)
@ljostroga1973

My infectious disease doctor said steroids worsen MAC on me. He was not pleased the pulmonologist put me on it

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What are the alternative options? I have this conversation with myself frequently. Supposedly, I have asthma and bronchiectasis, no MAC, which I am trying to avoid!

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lupine | @lupine | Apr 6 4:23pm
In reply to @ljostroga1973 "My infectious disease doctor said steroids worsen MAC on me. He was not pleased the pulmonologist..." + (show)
@ljostroga1973

My infectious disease doctor said steroids worsen MAC on me. He was not pleased the pulmonologist put me on it

Jump to this post

I refused steroids due to my fragile bones. I have COPD as well as MAC and bronchiectasis. My Pulmo gave me samples of non-steroidal Stiolto Respimate 2 puffs daily. It has been wonderful and I have been taking it by prescription for over a year now. No side effects. Dr. says I am moving air very well. Ask your doctor for samples.
Since I don't have drug insurance (long story), I order it with prescription from Canada Rx. It costs about 1/3 of US prices without insurance. It's the exact same medication and Canada Rx is very easy to work with.
I also nebulize 7% saline but only if I feel congested.

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