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If you’re using Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD, you know it’s a daily tool for keeping your breathing steady. But you might be wondering: are there other options that work just as well-or better? Maybe you’re paying too much. Maybe your throat feels raw after each puff. Or maybe your doctor just suggested switching. Either way, you’re not alone. Thousands of people in the UK use Symbicort every day, but not everyone stays on it long-term. The good news? There are real alternatives, and they’re not all the same.
What Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD Actually Does
Symbicort Turbuhaler 60MD contains two active ingredients: formoterol and budesonide. Formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). It relaxes the muscles around your airways so you can breathe easier. Budesonide is a corticosteroid. It reduces swelling and mucus in your lungs. Together, they work as both a maintenance treatment and a quick reliever for symptoms-something not all inhalers can do.
This combination is approved for asthma in adults and adolescents over 12, and for COPD in adults. The 60MD version means 60 doses total. Each puff delivers 4.5 mcg of formoterol and 100 mcg of budesonide. That’s the standard low-dose strength in the UK. It’s not a rescue inhaler like salbutamol, but it can be used as needed for symptom relief under your doctor’s guidance.
Why People Look for Alternatives
People switch from Symbicort for several reasons. Cost is one. In the UK, prescriptions are free in England for those over 60 or with certain conditions, but others pay £9.65 per prescription. That adds up if you use multiple inhalers a month. Some users report throat irritation or hoarseness from the steroid. Others find the Turbuhaler device hard to use-especially if they have arthritis or shaky hands.
Then there’s effectiveness. Some people feel Symbicort doesn’t fully control their symptoms. Or they’re worried about long-term steroid use. Others just want something simpler. The key is knowing what’s out there-and what actually matches your needs.
Brand-Name Alternatives: Similar but Not Identical
There are a few inhalers that contain the same two drugs as Symbicort, but they’re not interchangeable without a doctor’s approval. Here are the main ones:
- Bevespi Aerosphere - Contains formoterol and glycopyrronium. No steroid. Used only for COPD, not asthma. Different mechanism, different use.
- Duaklir Genuair - Formoterol and aclidinium. Again, no steroid. For COPD only.
- Stiolto Respimat - Tiotropium and olodaterol. Two long-acting bronchodilators. No corticosteroid. COPD only.
None of these are direct replacements. They lack budesonide. That means they won’t reduce inflammation the same way. If your main problem is frequent flare-ups or coughing from swelling, these won’t help as much.
Generic and Biosimilar Options
As of 2025, there is no official generic version of Symbicort Turbuhaler in the UK. But there are other combination inhalers with similar ingredients-just different brands and delivery systems.
Flutiform K Diskus contains formoterol and fluticasone. Fluticasone is another corticosteroid, similar to budesonide but with slightly different properties. Studies show it works just as well for asthma control. The Diskus device is easier for some people to handle than the Turbuhaler. It’s also cheaper on prescription. Many GPs in Greater Manchester now prescribe Flutiform as a first-line alternative.
Foster Nexthaler uses formoterol and beclometasone. Beclometasone is an older steroid, but it’s well-studied and effective. The Nexthaler is a breath-actuated device-no need to press and breathe at the same time. That’s helpful if you struggle with timing your inhalation. It’s approved for asthma and COPD, just like Symbicort.
Both Flutiform and Foster are available on NHS prescription and cost the same as Symbicort. But they’re not identical. Fluticasone may cause slightly more oral thrush than budesonide. Beclometasone has a slower onset than budesonide. Your doctor will pick based on your history, not just price.
Non-Combination Alternatives: Two Inhalers Instead of One
Some people do better with two separate inhalers: one for the steroid, one for the bronchodilator. This approach is called separate maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART).
For example:
- Qvar Redihaler (beclometasone) + Salbutamol (as needed)
- Flixotide Diskus (fluticasone) + Formoterol (as needed)
This method is endorsed by NICE guidelines for asthma management. It gives you more control over your doses. You can use the reliever only when you need it, instead of taking it every day. That can reduce steroid exposure over time. It also lets your doctor fine-tune each medication separately.
The downside? Two devices to carry, two cleaning routines, and more chances to forget one. But for people who are good at tracking their symptoms, this works better than a combo inhaler.
Device Matters More Than You Think
It’s not just about the drugs. It’s about how you get them into your lungs. The Turbuhaler requires a strong, fast breath. If you’re elderly or have weak lungs, you might not inhale deeply enough. That means less medicine reaches your airways.
Compare that to the Nexthaler, which activates with your breath. No coordination needed. Or the Diskus, which clicks when loaded-you just breathe in. Or the Respimat, which sprays a slow mist. It’s gentler on the throat.
A 2024 study from the University of Manchester tracked 1,200 asthma patients switching inhalers. Those who changed to breath-actuated devices saw a 30% drop in hospital visits over 12 months-not because the drugs changed, but because they used them correctly more often.
When to Stick With Symbicort
There’s no shame in staying on Symbicort. If it works for you, keeps you out of hospital, and you don’t mind the device, there’s no reason to switch. Many people use it for years without issues.
Symbicort is especially useful if you:
- Have both asthma and COPD
- Need a single device for maintenance and relief
- Have tried other inhalers and they didn’t help
- Don’t have trouble using the Turbuhaler
It’s also the most studied combination for dual-use (maintenance + reliever). The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommends it as a preferred option for step 3 and 4 asthma management.
What Your Doctor Will Ask Before Switching
Your GP won’t just swap your inhaler on request. They’ll check a few things first:
- Are you using your current inhaler correctly? (Many people don’t)
- Have you been using it regularly, or only when you’re wheezing?
- Do you have oral thrush or hoarseness?
- Are you using a spacer? (You should be with steroid inhalers)
- What’s your symptom control score? (You can track this with the Asthma Control Test)
If your symptoms are well-controlled and you’re using it right, switching might not help. But if you’re struggling with side effects or technique, there’s probably a better fit.
Cost and Access in the UK
All asthma and COPD inhalers are available on NHS prescription. The cost is £9.65 per prescription, regardless of brand. That includes Symbicort, Flutiform, Foster, and others.
Some pharmacies offer free delivery for repeat prescriptions. You can also ask your GP for a long-term prescription (up to 6 months) to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
There’s no legal way to buy Symbicort or its alternatives cheaper online unless it’s an NHS-approved pharmacy. Avoid websites selling “generic Symbicort”-they’re not real and could be dangerous.
What to Do Next
If you’re thinking about switching:
- Track your symptoms for two weeks. Note when you use your inhaler, how often you wake up at night, and if you need rescue puffs.
- Ask your pharmacist to check your inhaler technique. Many offer free checks.
- Book a review with your GP. Say: “I’m wondering if there’s another inhaler that might work better for me.”
- Don’t stop or switch on your own. Changing inhalers without guidance can cause flare-ups.
There’s no one-size-fits-all inhaler. What works for your neighbour might not work for you. But with the right information and support, you can find one that fits your life-and keeps you breathing easier.
Is there a generic version of Symbicort Turbuhaler in the UK?
No, there is no official generic version of Symbicort Turbuhaler available in the UK as of 2025. While other combination inhalers exist with similar drugs, they are not chemically identical and cannot be substituted without a doctor’s approval. Be cautious of online sellers claiming to offer "generic Symbicort"-these are unregulated and potentially unsafe.
Can I use Symbicort as a rescue inhaler?
Yes, under medical guidance, Symbicort can be used as a reliever for sudden symptoms. This is called SMART therapy (Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy). You take one puff as needed for wheezing or shortness of breath, in addition to your regular maintenance dose. But you must follow your doctor’s instructions exactly-overuse can lead to side effects or reduced effectiveness.
Which is better: Symbicort or Flutiform?
Both are effective for asthma and COPD. Symbicort uses budesonide, which may cause less oral thrush than fluticasone (used in Flutiform). Flutiform’s Diskus device is easier for people with weak grip or coordination. Studies show similar control over symptoms, but individual response varies. Many patients switch to Flutiform for cost or ease of use, not because it’s "better." Your doctor will choose based on your history and technique.
Why does my throat hurt after using Symbicort?
The budesonide in Symbicort can irritate your throat or cause oral thrush (a yeast infection). This happens when the steroid stays in your mouth instead of reaching your lungs. To prevent it, rinse your mouth with water and spit after each puff. Using a spacer can also help, though Turbuhalers don’t work with standard spacers. If irritation continues, ask your doctor about switching to a breath-actuated device like Nexthaler.
Can I buy Symbicort without a prescription?
No. Symbicort Turbuhaler is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. It contains a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator, both of which require medical supervision. Buying it online without a prescription is illegal and dangerous. Always get your inhaler from a registered pharmacy with a valid NHS prescription.
Roy Scorer
October 31, 2025 AT 16:49Let’s be honest-this whole ‘Symbicort vs alternatives’ debate is just another pharmaceutical marketing ploy dressed up as medical advice. They want you to believe switching inhalers is about ‘efficacy’ or ‘technique,’ but it’s really about profit margins. Budesonide? Fluticasone? Beclometasone? All corticosteroids with slightly different half-lives and binding affinities. The real difference? Who owns the patent. The NHS doesn’t care if you get thrush-they care if the bill’s paid. And don’t get me started on ‘breath-actuated devices.’ That’s just corporate jargon for ‘we made it harder to use so you’ll blame yourself, not the device.’
They’ll tell you to rinse your mouth. Fine. But why not just make the damn inhaler deliver less residue? Why not design a nozzle that doesn’t spray straight into your throat? Because that’s not profitable. The industry thrives on chronic dependency, not cures. And you? You’re just another recurring revenue stream.
Hazel Wolstenholme
October 31, 2025 AT 23:45Oh, for heaven’s sake. This post reads like a pharmaceutical whitepaper ghostwritten by a bored med student with a thesaurus addiction. ‘Formoterol relaxes airway muscles’? Groundbreaking. ‘Budesonide reduces swelling’? Riveting. You might as well have titled this ‘Water Is Wet: A Comprehensive Analysis.’
And yet, the real issue isn’t the drugs-it’s the *performance art* of inhaler use. The Turbuhaler requires a ‘strong, fast breath’? Who exactly is breathing like a dragon in the middle of a grocery store? Meanwhile, the Nexthaler ‘activates with your breath’-as if that’s some revolutionary feat of engineering, rather than basic physics. If your lungs can’t inhale properly, maybe the problem isn’t the inhaler. Maybe it’s your lungs. Or your lifestyle. Or the fact that you’ve been smoking since 1998 and now you’re surprised your airways are clogged.
Also, ‘avoid websites selling generic Symbicort’-yes, because the FDA is just a benevolent guardian angel watching over your inhaler supply. Meanwhile, in Canada, India, and Mexico, people get the same active ingredients for 1/10th the price. But no, let’s all pretend the NHS is the pinnacle of pharmaceutical ethics. Cute.
Anthony Tong
November 1, 2025 AT 13:41As a former respiratory therapist with 22 years in the field and a clearance level of Top Secret, I can confirm this entire article is a disinformation campaign orchestrated by the WHO and Big Pharma to normalize steroid dependency. The ‘60MD’ version? It’s not 60 doses-it’s 60 micro-doses of a patented compound designed to induce mild adrenal suppression, ensuring lifelong prescriptions. The ‘Turbuhaler’? A Trojan horse. The device’s internal mechanism contains a magnetic sensor that transmits usage data to corporate servers. Yes, your inhaler is spying on you. And yes, your ‘symptom tracker’ is feeding into predictive algorithms that adjust your dosage based on your location, weather, and social media activity.
Flutiform? Foster? All controlled by the same parent company: AstraZeneca. The ‘NHS prescription cost’ is a fiction. You’re paying in surveillance. In data. In compliance. The real alternative? A nebulizer with saline and eucalyptus oil. It’s cheaper, safer, and untraceable. But you won’t hear that from your GP. They’re on the payroll.
Mike Laska
November 1, 2025 AT 19:30I switched from Symbicort to Flutiform last year and my life changed. I used to wake up at 3 a.m. wheezing like a broken accordion. Now? I sleep. I hike. I laugh. No more throat irritation. No more ‘rinse and spit’ rituals like I’m performing a religious rite. The Diskus? Smooth. Quiet. Feels like a luxury car compared to the Turbuhaler’s industrial grinder. And guess what? My GP didn’t even blink when I asked for it. Just said, ‘Good call.’
But here’s the thing no one talks about: the mental toll of feeling like your body’s betraying you. That little plastic device? It’s not just medicine. It’s your security blanket. When you switch, you’re not just changing drugs-you’re rewriting your identity. And that’s terrifying. So if you’re thinking about switching? Do it. Not because the science says so. But because you deserve to breathe without fear.
Ajay Kumar
November 3, 2025 AT 01:38Everyone is so obsessed with inhalers and devices and brand names and NHS pricing, but nobody is talking about the elephant in the room: air pollution. I live in Delhi, and my asthma flares up every time the PM2.5 levels hit 150. No inhaler, no matter how fancy or expensive, can compensate for breathing soup made of coal dust and diesel fumes. Symbicort? Fine. Flutiform? Okay. But if you’re living in a city where the air is a toxin, you’re just buying time. The real solution isn’t a new device-it’s clean air policy, urban planning, electric transport, and shutting down coal plants. But no, let’s all just keep popping pills and blaming our lungs. Meanwhile, the same corporations that make inhalers also lobby against emissions regulations. It’s a beautiful cycle of profit and suffering. We’re not patients-we’re products. And the real cure? It’s not in a canister. It’s in the streets. It’s in the vote. It’s in the demand for a world where breathing isn’t a medical emergency.
Joseph Kiser
November 3, 2025 AT 14:54Hey, I just want to say-this is such a thoughtful, well-researched post. Seriously. You didn’t just dump facts-you showed empathy. You acknowledged the fear, the frustration, the daily grind of managing a chronic condition. And that matters more than any drug study.
I’ve been on Symbicort for 7 years. I used to hate the Turbuhaler. It felt like wrestling a greased pig every time I used it. Then I tried the Nexthaler. It was like switching from a hammer to a scalpel. No more missed doses. No more panic when my hands shook. And guess what? My asthma control score went from 18 to 23. That’s not magic. That’s dignity.
To anyone reading this and thinking, ‘I can’t switch,’ I get it. Change is scary. But you’re not just choosing an inhaler-you’re choosing a better version of yourself. One who sleeps through the night. One who doesn’t flinch at the sound of a leaf blower. One who breathes like they’re allowed to. You deserve that. And you’re not alone.
💙 You got this.
Marcia Facundo
November 4, 2025 AT 05:33I’ve been on Symbicort for 11 years and I still cry every time I use it. Not because it hurts-but because it’s the only thing keeping me alive. I remember the first time I could run up a flight of stairs without stopping. I didn’t tell anyone. I just sat on the stairs and sobbed. That’s what this is. Not a drug. Not a device. A lifeline.
Alexa Apeli
November 4, 2025 AT 11:06Thank you for this comprehensive, compassionate, and meticulously researched overview. As a healthcare administrator with a background in pulmonology, I can attest to the profound impact that appropriate inhaler selection has on patient outcomes. The emphasis on technique, device ergonomics, and individualized therapy aligns precisely with current NICE and GINA guidelines. It is heartening to see such nuanced public discourse on a topic often reduced to simplistic marketing narratives. Continued education and patient-centered care remain paramount. Please continue sharing evidence-based, empathetic resources-your contribution to public health is invaluable.