Asthma age indications and maintenance use
Dulera (mometasone furoate/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is indicated for twice-daily treatment of asthma in patients aged 5 years and older. [1] Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate) is indicated for maintenance treatment of asthma in patients aged 6 years and older. [2] Both products are indicated as controller therapy that is dosed on a fixed schedule and are not indicated for acute asthma exacerbations/status asthmaticus. [1] [2]
Inhaler strength and formulation differences
Dulera is a pressurized metered-dose inhaler with formoterol 5 mcg per actuation across strengths, paired with mometasone 50 mcg/actuation (pediatric) or 100 mcg/actuation (adolescent/adult) or 200 mcg/actuation (higher-dose adolescents/adults). [1] Symbicort is a pressurized metered-dose inhaler with formoterol 4.5 mcg per actuation across strengths, paired with budesonide 80 mcg/actuation (pediatric and lower-dose) or 160 mcg/actuation (adolescent/adult). [2]
Dulera asthma dosing by age group
For patients aged 12 years and older, Dulera is dosed as 2 inhalations twice daily of either Dulera 100 mcg/5 mcg or Dulera 200 mcg/5 mcg. [1] For patients who do not respond adequately after 2 weeks on Dulera 100 mcg/5 mcg twice daily, escalation to Dulera 200 mcg/5 mcg twice daily is an option in the label dosing section. [1] For patients aged 5 to less than 12 years, Dulera is dosed as 2 inhalations of Dulera 50 mcg/5 mcg twice daily. [1]
Symbicort asthma dosing by age group
For patients aged 12 years and older, Symbicort is dosed as 2 inhalations twice daily of either Symbicort 80 mcg/4.5 mcg or Symbicort 160 mcg/4.5 mcg, with starting dose based on asthma severity. [2] For patients aged 6 to less than 12 years, Symbicort is dosed as 2 inhalations of Symbicort 80 mcg/4.5 mcg twice daily. [2]
Practical dosing-logic differences
Dulera provides a labeled pediatric strength (50 mcg/5 mcg) for ages 5 to less than 12 years. [1] Symbicort provides a labeled pediatric dose regimen that uses the 80 mcg/4.5 mcg strength for ages 6 to less than 12 years. [2] Dulera escalation described in the label is between 100/5 and 200/5 strengths for patients aged 12 years and older. [1] Symbicort escalation described in the label section is between 80/4.5 and 160/4.5 strengths for asthma in patients aged 12 years and older. [2]
Asthma use instructions distinguishing controller vs relief
Both labels specify inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist use for symptoms arising between maintenance doses. [1] [2] Both labels describe the products as maintenance controller inhalers and include warnings against acute asthma management uses such as status asthmaticus. [1] [2]