Is Advair generic available?

Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) is a combination asthma medication that is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). This brand-name drug was initially approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000.

Currently, there are a few drug manufacturers that make a generic version of Advair Diskus. Wixela Inhub was the first generic version of Advair Diskus that Mylan brought to the market in 2019. Since then, Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals have released their own generic version of Advair Diskus.

Learn more about Advair Diskus, Wixella Inhub, and what alternative options are available for asthma patients to save money.

What is Advair?

Advair is a combination product that contains an inhaled corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) and a long-acting beta-agonist or LABA (salmeterol xinafoate). The corticosteroid fluticasone propionate helps reduce inflammation in your lungs while the long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) salmeterol xinafoate relaxes the smooth muscle in your lungs to help open your airways so you can breathe easier. It is approved for the:

• Treatment of asthma in patients aged 4 years of age and older
• Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both, to improve breathing and reduce flare-ups

Advair should not be used to relieve sudden breathing problems. You should always carry a rescue inhaler with you to treat an asthma attack. If you do not have a rescue inhaler, call your doctor to have one prescribed for you.

What dosage forms and strengths of Advair and its generics are available?

Advair Diskus and its generic equivalents are available with a combination of 100 mcg, 250 mcg, or 500 mcg of fluticasone propionate and 50 mcg of salmeterol inhalation powder.

It is also available as an Advair HFA inhaler with a combination of 45 mcg, 115 mcg, or 230 mcg of fluticasone propionate and 21 mcg of salmeterol per actuation.

Are there cheaper alternatives to Advair?

There are other prescription medications your healthcare provider can prescribe for you cannot use Advair. These medications have different strengths, dosages, and indications.

RELATED: Advair alternatives for asthma and COPD

Is there a generic version of Advair?

Yes, there are currently several FDA-approved generic versions of Advair that are on the market. The first generic was approved under the brand name Wixela. There are now generic versions made by Hikma and Teva Pharmaceuticals. Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as the brand-name version and are generally considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics tend to cost less than the original version.

Is Wixela Inhub as good as Advair?

As an FDA-approved generic of Advair Diskus, Wixela Inhub is just as effective and safe. The active ingredients in Wixela Inhub and Advair Diskus are identical and have been demonstrated in clinical studies to help improve lung function. Wixela Inhub is available with the same strengths as Advair Diskus.

The average cost of #1 brand-name Advair Diskus 250mcg/50mcg inhaler is around $470, while the average cost of #1 Wixela Inhub 250mcg/50mcg inhaler is around $215.

When will generic Advair become available?

Currently, several generic versions of Advair are available:

• Manufacturer: Mylan (under the name Wixela Inhub)
  Approval date: January 30, 2019
• Manufacturer: Hikma Pharmaceuticals
  Approval date: December 17, 2020
• Manufacturer: Teva Pharmaceuticals
  Approval date: December 13, 2021

How do you take Advair (salmeterol/fluticasone)?

• Use Advair exactly as your doctor prescribes it to you. Do not change your dose or stop this medication without talking to them first.
• Use 1 inhalation of Advair Diskus twice a day at the same time every day, around 12 hours apart. Rinse your mouth with water without swallowing after each inhalation to reduce throat irritation and lower your risk of developing thrush (yeast infection) in your throat or mouth.
• If you miss a dose, just skip that dose and take the next dose at its regular time. Do not take extra doses or 2 doses at 1 time to make up for a missed dose.

What should you tell your doctor before starting Advair?

You should not take Advair if you have had an allergic reaction to salmeterol, fluticasone, or any of the inactive ingredients in Advair’s formulation. Advair should also be used with caution if you have certain medical conditions. You should tell make sure your doctor of all medical conditions you have, including:

• Heart problems, including high blood pressure
• Seizures
• Thyroid problems
• Diabetes
• Liver problems
• Have weak bones (osteoporosis)
• Have a weakened immune system
• Eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, or other changes in vision
• Have an allergy to milk proteins
• Have an active viral, bacterial, or fungal infection
• Have been exposed to chickenpox or measles

Advair side effects

The most common side effects of Advair seen in clinical trials include:

• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Thrush
• Stomach pain
• Upset stomach
• Cough
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sinus infection

Advair can sometimes cause serious side effects such as:

• Severe hypersensitivity reactions, including hives, swelling of your throat or tongue, and shortness of breath
• Worsening of infections, including a potentially fatal course of chickenpox or measles
• Osteoporosis
• Glaucoma and cataracts
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased risk of seizures
• Thyroid dysfunction

Speak with your prescribing doctor about the possible drug interactions with any other prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. These are not all of the possible side effects of Advair. You should always seek medical advice for any questions or concerns relating to your medical condition or treatment. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

RELATED: Advair side effects and how to avoid them

What is the difference between Advair and Symbicort?

Symbicort and Advair are both combination medications that treat asthma and the symptoms of COPD. They both have a corticosteroid combined with a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. Symbicort has a corticosteroid called budesonide while Advair contains fluticasone. They also each use a different long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. Symbicort uses formoterol and Advair uses salmeterol.

Symbicort is available as a metered dose inhaler. Advair comes as an HFA inhaler that is similar to Symbicort. Advair is also available as a powder for inhalation using a Diskus inhaler that doesn’t have a propellant to deliver the medication. You have to breathe in quickly and deeply to ensure the medication gets to your lungs.

Symbicort and Advair HFA can both be used in patients who are 12 years of age or older, while Advair Diskus is used in patients who are 4 years of age or older. They have a lot of the same side effects and drug interactions.

Symbicort and Advair Diskus both have generics available but are still expensive. The average cost of #1 generic Symbicort 160mcg/4.5mg inhaler is around $300 while #1 generic Advair Diskus 250mcg/50mcg inhaler is around $215.

RELATED: Symbicort vs Advair

Is there a generic for Advair HFA?

No, there is not a generic version of Advair HFA available in the United States. It is not known when a generic will be available.