Compare Foracort Inhaler (Formoterol, Budesonide) with Alternatives

If you’re using Foracort Inhaler for asthma or COPD, you’ve probably noticed it works - but maybe it’s too expensive, hard to get, or doesn’t feel right in your lungs. You’re not alone. Many people wonder if there’s a better or cheaper option out there. The truth is, Foracort isn’t the only combo inhaler available. In fact, several alternatives offer similar benefits, with slight differences in how they work, how fast they kick in, and how much they cost. This guide breaks down exactly how Foracort compares to other inhalers you might be considering, so you can make a smart, informed choice with your doctor.

What’s in Foracort Inhaler?

Foracort Inhaler contains two active ingredients: formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), and budesonide is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Together, they do two things: budesonide reduces swelling and mucus in your airways over time, while formoterol relaxes the muscles around your airways to keep them open. This combo is designed for daily use, not for quick relief during an attack.

Foracort comes in two strengths: 100/6 and 200/6, meaning 100 or 200 micrograms of budesonide with 6 micrograms of formoterol per puff. The 200/6 version is usually prescribed for moderate to severe asthma or COPD that isn’t fully controlled. It’s not meant to be used as a rescue inhaler - if you need fast relief, you still need a short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol on hand.

How Foracort Compares to Symbicort

Symbicort is probably the most common alternative to Foracort. It also combines a LABA and an ICS: formoterol and budesonide - the exact same ingredients as Foracort. So why does Symbicort cost more in some places? The difference isn’t in the drugs - it’s in the delivery device and how the particles are sized.

Symbicort’s inhaler uses a different propellant and metering valve. Some users report it feels smoother and delivers a finer mist, which can help the medicine reach deeper into the lungs. Studies show both inhalers work equally well for asthma control and reducing flare-ups. A 2023 review in the European Respiratory Journal found no significant difference in lung function improvement between the two when used correctly.

But here’s the catch: Symbicort is approved for both maintenance and reliever therapy in asthma (SMART regimen), meaning you can use it for daily control AND as a rescue inhaler in some cases. Foracort is not approved for this dual use. If your doctor is considering a SMART approach, Symbicort is the only option between the two.

Advair Diskus: A Different Combo

Advair Diskus uses salmeterol instead of formoterol, paired with fluticasone instead of budesonide. Salmeterol is also a LABA, but it works slower - it takes about 30 minutes to start working, compared to formoterol’s 1-3 minutes. That makes Advair less ideal if you need quick symptom relief during the day.

Fluticasone is a stronger corticosteroid than budesonide, which means Advair might be more effective for severe inflammation. But it also carries a slightly higher risk of oral thrush and hoarseness if you don’t rinse your mouth after use. Advair is available in more dosage strengths, giving doctors more flexibility, especially for advanced COPD.

Advair is often prescribed when budesonide hasn’t worked well enough, or when a patient needs a higher steroid dose. But if you’re doing fine on Foracort, switching to Advair might not offer any real benefit - just higher cost and more side effects.

Breo Ellipta: Once-Daily Convenience

Breo Ellipta combines fluticasone and vilanterol, another LABA. Vilanterol lasts 24 hours, so you only need to use it once a day. That’s a big plus if you forget doses or have a busy schedule.

But here’s the trade-off: vilanterol has been linked to a slightly higher risk of death in COPD patients in some long-term studies, especially when used without an ICS. That’s why Breo is only approved for COPD and asthma patients who are already on a maintenance inhaler - not for first-time users or as a rescue inhaler.

Compared to Foracort, Breo offers convenience, not superiority. If you’re already stable on Foracort twice daily, switching to Breo won’t necessarily improve your symptoms. It just makes life easier. But if you’re struggling with twice-daily dosing, Breo might be worth discussing.

Other Alternatives: Qvar, Airsupra, and Generic Options

Qvar (beclomethasone) is a low-dose ICS only - no LABA. That means it’s only for mild asthma control. If you’re on Foracort, you likely need the combo, so Qvar isn’t a direct substitute.

Airsupra is a newer option. It combines albuterol (a rescue inhaler) with budesonide. It’s designed for people who need both quick relief and anti-inflammatory action in one puff. It’s not meant for daily maintenance, but it’s useful for those who frequently use rescue inhalers. If you’re using your albuterol more than twice a week, Airsupra might be a better fit than Foracort alone.

Generic versions of Foracort aren’t widely available yet, but generic budesonide/formoterol inhalers are now sold under different brand names in some countries. In the U.S., the generic version of Symbicort is available and costs about 60% less than the brand-name version. Ask your pharmacist: if you’re paying full price for Foracort, there might be a cheaper generic alternative that works the same way.

Cost and Insurance: What You Really Pay

Foracort can cost $150-$250 without insurance in the U.S., depending on the dose. Symbicort is similar in price, but its generic version (budesonide/formoterol) can drop to $50-$90. Advair and Breo are more expensive - often $300+ without insurance - and rarely have generics available.

Insurance plans often put these inhalers in tier 3 or 4, meaning high copays. But many manufacturers offer savings cards. Foracort’s manufacturer offers a coupon that can cut your cost to $10 per month if you qualify. Symbicort’s savings program is even better - sometimes down to $0. Always check before you pay full price.

Side Effects: Which Inhaler Is Easiest on Your Body?

All inhaled steroids cause the same common side effects: sore throat, hoarseness, and oral thrush. Rinsing your mouth after each puff cuts these risks by 80%. None of these inhalers cause weight gain or bone loss at standard doses - that’s a myth.

Formoterol (in Foracort and Symbicort) has a slightly faster onset than salmeterol (in Advair), so it may cause a bit more jitteriness or heart palpitations in sensitive people. That’s rare, but if you feel your heart racing after using Foracort, talk to your doctor. Breo’s vilanterol has a longer half-life, which can increase the chance of tremors or sleep issues.

Foracort and Symbicort are the gentlest on the body for most users. Advair and Breo are stronger, so they’re better for severe cases - but only if you really need them.

Which Inhaler Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick decision guide:

• If you want the same effect as Foracort but at a lower cost → go for generic budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort generic)
• If you need to use your inhaler for both daily control AND rescue → choose Symbicort (approved for SMART therapy)
• If you forget doses often and need once-daily use → talk to your doctor about Breo Ellipta
• If you’ve tried budesonide and it didn’t work → try Advair with fluticasone
• If you use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week → consider Airsupra

Don’t switch on your own. Your doctor needs to evaluate your symptoms, lung function, and history before changing your inhaler. But now you know the real differences - so you can ask better questions.

What If Your Inhaler Isn’t Working?

If you’re using Foracort correctly - inhaling deeply, holding your breath for 10 seconds, rinsing your mouth - and you still have wheezing, coughing, or nighttime symptoms, the problem isn’t the inhaler. It’s your asthma or COPD control.

You might need:

• A higher dose
• Add-on therapy like a leukotriene modifier (montelukast)
• Biologic injections for severe asthma (like omalizumab or mepolizumab)
• A pulmonary rehab program

Don’t assume the inhaler is the issue. Talk to your doctor about your symptom diary. Track how often you wake up at night, how many rescue puffs you use, and whether your activity level has dropped. That data matters more than the brand name on the canister.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Brand - It’s About Control

The best inhaler isn’t the one with the fanciest name or the lowest price. It’s the one you use correctly, consistently, and that keeps you breathing easy. Foracort works well for many people. But so do its alternatives. The key is matching the inhaler to your lifestyle, symptoms, and budget - not just sticking with what you’ve always used.

Ask your doctor: "Is there a cheaper option that works just as well?" or "Could I use this once a day instead of twice?" Small changes can make a big difference - without risking your health.