Breyna is the generic version of Symbicort. It contains the same two active ingredients in the same concentrations, delivered through the same type of inhaler. The FDA approved Breyna in 2022 as the first generic alternative to Symbicort, manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals (now Viatris Inc.).
Same Ingredients, Same Strengths
Both Breyna and Symbicort contain two medications working together: a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in your airways and a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles around them to keep them open. Breyna comes in the same two strengths as Symbicort: 80/4.5 mcg and 160/4.5 mcg per puff.
The inhaler itself is also the same type, a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) that delivers a pressurized spray. You use it the same way: shake, exhale, press and inhale, hold your breath. If you’ve been using Symbicort, switching to Breyna shouldn’t require learning a new technique or device.
What Breyna Treats
Breyna carries the same FDA-approved uses as Symbicort. It is approved for treating asthma in patients 6 years of age and older, and for maintenance treatment of COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In COPD, it helps maintain open airways and reduce flare-ups over time. It is not a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing emergencies.
What “Generic” Actually Means Here
To earn FDA approval as a generic, Breyna had to demonstrate that it is bioequivalent to Symbicort. That means it delivers the same amount of medication to your lungs at the same rate. The FDA evaluated the formulation, the device, and the drug’s behavior in the body before granting approval. From a clinical standpoint, your doctor and pharmacist consider them interchangeable.
Some people switching from a brand-name inhaler to its generic notice minor differences in taste or the feel of the spray. These don’t affect how well the medication works. The active drug reaching your lungs is the same.
Cost Differences
The main reason Breyna exists is to offer a lower-cost option. How much you actually save depends heavily on your insurance plan and pharmacy. Reports from patients vary widely. Some pay around $11 to $30 per month with insurance, while others without favorable coverage have seen prices closer to $89 or even higher. Brand-name Symbicort has historically been significantly more expensive, which is why the arrival of a generic mattered.
If your pharmacy automatically substitutes generics, you may receive Breyna when your prescription says Symbicort. This is standard practice and legal in most states unless your prescriber specifically writes “dispense as written.” If you’re unsure which one you received, check the label on the box or ask your pharmacist.
Reasons Your Doctor Might Prefer One Over the Other
In most cases, there is no medical reason to choose brand-name Symbicort over Breyna. They are therapeutically equivalent. However, a small number of patients report that a switch feels different, often because of the inactive ingredients (propellants, flavorings) that can vary between brand and generic products. If you switch and feel your symptoms aren’t as well controlled after a few weeks, that’s worth mentioning to your doctor, who can evaluate whether the issue is the inhaler or something else changing with your condition.
Your prescriber might write for the brand name if your insurance happens to cover it at a lower copay, which occasionally happens with manufacturer discount programs. Otherwise, the generic is the straightforward, less expensive choice.