Understanding the Key Differences: Flovent vs. Albuterol

Asthma currently affects about 27 million people in the US, but fortunately, various medications can help.

Among these medications, two of the most common are Flovent and Albuterol. As they both treat symptoms of asthma, people often think they’re the same thing, but this isn’t the case. Understanding the medications available will help you ensure you get the one that’s best for you.

In this Flovent vs. Albuterol guide, we’ll compare these asthma medications so you can get a better understanding of both of them. Keep reading for more.

What Is Flovent?

Flovent is a brand-name version of fluticasone propionate. The main purpose of it is to prevent asthma and some other issues such as inflammatory pruritic dermatoses, and nonallergic rhinitis.

It’s an inhaled corticosteroid that activates glucocorticoid receptors and combats airway inflammation. This reduces bronchial tube swelling and irritation. Flovent is available in different strengths and formulations in inhaler devices, some of which you can get using these coupons for Flovent.

What Is Albuterol?

Albuterol (sometimes called salbutamol) is a medication that’s designed to help treat and prevent acute and chronic bronchospasm from reversible obstructive airway disease. It can also help with exercise-induced bronchospasm.

It works by relaxing the bronchial muscle cells. It also inhibits the release of hypersensitivity mediators from mast cells. You can find different dosing forms such as tablets, aerosol meters, oral syrups, and nebulized solutions.

Flovent vs. Albuterol

Flovent and Albuterol have various similarities, such as:

• Both are inhaled medications
• Both relax muscles in the airway
• Both can make it easier to breathe
• Both can be found in metered-dose inhalers
• Both are often used to treat asthma symptoms

It’s important to know the differences too. Depending on your situation, one may be far more suitable than the other.

Flovent is a long-acting medication that combats airway inflammation. This is a form of maintenance therapy that can help reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

Albuterol, on the other hand, is a short-acting beta-2 agonist. It causes airway muscles to quickly relax. This is to help treat an asthma attack that’s already happening.

Flovent is typically administered twice daily using a controller inhaler, whereas Albuterol rescue inhalers are used as and when they’re needed. Flovent only comes in the form of metered-dose inhalers. Albuterol can come in various formats.

It’s also important to be aware of the potential side effects of any medication before taking it. The most common side effects of Flovent are:

• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Upper respiratory infections
• Thrush
• Slowed growth in children

For Albuterol, the side effects include:

• Headaches
• Shakiness
• Tremors
• Muscle cramps
• Rapid heart rate
• Nausea
• Vomiting

For both of these medications, side effects are uncommon. Even so, it’s still a good idea to understand what they are.

Which Is Better for You

When comparing Flovent vs. Albuterol, you can see the difference in purpose. Flovent is a regular medication that helps reduce symptoms of asthma and prevents asthma attacks from happening. Albuterol is a rescue medication that can help when someone is already having an asthma attack.

For more health-related articles, check out some of our other blog posts.