In an acute asthma attack should i use advair or symbicort (budesonide and formoterol)? i have both thanks

Rescue inhalers: Neither of those medications are rescue meds for asthma, they are for maintainence.

Neither: Both advair and symbicort (budesonide and formoterol) are in the same family of medications and are considered controller medications meaning you take them every day and with an exacerbation you add on albuterol and contact your physician as you may need oral steroids. You should not use both symbicort (budesonide and formoterol) and advair on the same day.

Neither: So i agree with the previous answers. But, if those were the only 2 you had during an attack, use symbicort (budesonide and formoterol). The long-acting beta-agonist (formoterol) can give you relief in about 5 minutes. In fact, in europe, it is commonly used as a rescue (but this is not fda approved in the us).

Neither...: In an acute asthma episode, you need to use a "rescue inhaler" which is usually a short-acting b-agonist, like albuterol. The inhalers you list are not to be used during an acute exacerbation as they do not work fast enough. If you were not prescribed a rescue inhaler, see your doctor again and ask that one be prescribed.

No: Advair and symbicort (budesonide and formoterol) are both inhaled steroids for maintenance and long term uses. You need to use your rescue inhalers like albuterol or ventolin or proair. If you are in the red zone , having trouble breathing, short of breath, chest tightness , labored breathing , need to go to er immediately!