Budesonide, Fluticasone, and More: How to Save on 5 Common Inhaled Steroids for Asthma
Key takeaways:
Inhaled corticosteroids, such as the budesonide inhaler, are first-choice options for treating asthma. But many of these inhalers are brand-name only.
If you have insurance that doesn’t cover brand-name steroid inhalers, or if you’re uninsured, you may be able to save with copay savings cards and patient assistance programs.
If you have asthma, talk to your healthcare provider about whether an inhaled corticosteroid is needed. Your provider can help you pick the best medication to manage your symptoms.
Table of contents
Budesonide. Fluticasone. Beclomethasone. The names of these corticosteroids (often referred to as just “steroids”) may sound familiar to you. They come in many forms and are used to treat many medical conditions, including asthma. In fact, these inhaled steroid options are first-choice options for treating asthma. But inhalers containing these medications are only available as brand-name products, which can be expensive.
If you need these medications, are there ways to save? Here, we’ll cover information on five of the most common inhaled steroids for asthma, including what you can do to save.
What are inhaled steroids?
Daily treatment with an inhaled steroid is very effective in reducing asthma symptoms. Unlike rescue inhalers, which are used as needed for quick relief, inhaled steroids are “controller medications.” This means they’re long-acting maintenance medications that you take every day.
Inhaled corticosteroids work by reducing inflammation and swelling in the airways. Reducing inflammation makes it easier to breathe, which minimizes asthma attacks. But these medications have to be taken daily, and it may take several weeks before they’re fully effective.
5 of the most common inhaled steroids for asthma
Inhaled steroids are highly effective at treating asthma long-term, and there are a few options to choose from. Most options are only available as brand-name products, but there are ways to save. Below, we’ll cover 5 of the most common inhaled steroids for asthma and how you might be able to save money on these products.
1. Budesonide inhaler
The budesonide inhaler is FDA-approved to treat asthma in adults and kids who are at least 6 years old. It’s available as a brand-name inhaler called Pulmicort Flexhaler. The budesonide inhaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI). It’s a handheld device that lets you inhale powdered medication. For it to work effectively, you need to be able to take deep, forceful breaths. In combination with albuterol, this corticosteroid is also found in Airsupra as a rescue inhaler.
The budesonide inhaler is usually used twice a day. As with most steroid inhalers, it can take about a week for you to feel relief from asthma symptoms. And it can take 2 to 6 weeks for the medication to reach its maximum effects. This is why it’s important to be consistent about using the budesonide inhaler every day.
Is the budesonide inhaler available as a generic?
No. The budesonide inhaler is only available as a brand-name product.
But budesonide is also available in another form, called Pulmicort Respules. This is a liquid solution that’s inhaled using a nebulizer. It’s available as both a brand-name and a generic.
Nebulizers are machines that help you inhale liquid medication through a mask. The nebulizer turns the liquid into a mist before you breathe it in. Nebulizers are easier to use than inhalers for some people, such as children or babies who can’t use an inhaler correctly. But they’re not a practical option for many adults. They can be bulky to carry around, and they may require electricity to work.
How to save on the budesonide inhaler
You may be able to save on the brand-only budesonide inhaler in a couple of ways:
If you have commercial insurance, you could save with a copay savings card. You may be able to pay as little as $20 for a 30-day supply of Pulmicort Flexhaler. If you’re paying cash, you can save up to $50 off the monthly cost of your inhaler. The copay card is good for 12 months of use.
If you’re uninsured or have Medicare, you may be eligible for Pulmicort Flexhaler’s patient assistance program.
For some people, budesonide liquid with a nebulizer may be a more affordable option. You may be able to get a 30-day supply for as low as $45.00 with a free GoodRx discount.
2. Fluticasone inhaler
Fluticasone is a common inhaled corticosteroid used to treat asthma. It comes in multiple inhaler products, including:
These fluticasone inhalers are FDA-approved to treat asthma. The Flovent Diskus and HFA are approved for people who are at least 4 years old. The ArmonAir Digihaler is approved for people 12 and older, and the Arnuity Ellipta is for people who are 5 and older. Depending on the product you use, your age, and how severe your symptoms are, you’ll take 1 to 2 puffs once or twice a day.
One of the main differences between these fluticasone inhalers is that Flovent HFA is a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). The other fluticasone inhalers are DPIs, like the budesonide inhaler. MDIs use a propellant to drive liquid medication into your lungs. In Flovent HFA, the propellant is hydrofluoroalkane, or HFA.
Are the fluticasone inhalers available as generics?
No. None of the fluticasone inhalers are available as generic products. However, Flovent HFA has an authorized generic, which is an unbranded version of the original product.
How to save on the fluticasone inhalers
GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price of the authorized generic version of the Flovent HFA. You may be able to get the authorized generic version of the Flovent HFA for as low as $168.90 with a free GoodRx discount.
You may be able to save on the brand-only fluticasone inhalers if you’re uninsured or have Medicare. You may be eligible for Flovent HFA, Flovent Diskus, or Arnuity Ellipta patient assistance programs
3. Beclomethasone inhaler
Beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler) is an MDI that’s FDA-approved to treat asthma in adults and children who are at least 4 years old. The beclomethasone inhaler is usually used twice a day, but your dose will depend on your age and the severity of your symptoms.
Is the beclomethasone inhaler available as a generic?
No. The beclomethasone inhaler is only available as the brand-name product Qvar RediHaler.
How to save on the beclomethasone inhaler
If you have commercial insurance, you could save with a copay savings card. You may be able to pay as little as $15 for a 30-day supply of Qvar RediHaler. The copay card can be used 12 times within a year.
4. Mometasone inhaler
Mometasone comes as both an MDI (Asmanex HFA) and a DPI (Asmanex Twisthaler). They’re both FDA-approved to treat asthma in adults and children. But the Asmanex HFA is approved for people who are 5 years and older and the Asmanex Twisthaler is approved for ages 4 and up.
The Asmanex HFA dose is usually 2 puffs twice a day. The Asmanex Twisthaler dose can vary between 1 to 2 puffs and is taken once or twice a day.
It’s important to note that the Asmanex Twisthaler contains a small amount of lactose, so it may not be the best option for someone with a milk protein allergy.
Are the mometasone inhalers available as generics?
No. Neither mometasone inhaler is available as a generic.
How to save on the mometasone inhalers
You may be able to save on the brand-only mometasone inhalers if you have commercial insurance. Using a copay savings card, you may be able to pay as little as $15 for an Asmanex HFA or Asmanex Twisthaler. The copay card is good for 12 uses.
5. Ciclesonide inhaler
Ciclesonide (Alvesco) comes as an MDI. It’s approved to treat asthma in people who are at least 12 years old. The dose is usually 1 to 2 puffs twice a day.
Is the ciclesonide inhaler available as a generic?
No. The ciclesonide inhaler is available as a brand-name product only.
How to save on the ciclesonide inhaler
You may be able to save on brand-only Alvesco if you have commercial insurance. At many pharmacies, you may be able to pay as little as $5 for Alvesco using a copay card. This card is valid for 12 prescriptions in a year, with a maximum annual savings of $1,020.
Alvesco also has a copay card for Walgreens specifically. With this copay card, you may be able to pay $0 for Alvesco. The card never expires. And you may be able to use it to reduce your cost even if you don’t have insurance or you’re underinsured.
The bottom line
Inhaled steroid medications are often recommended as first-choice medications for asthma. But the most common steroid inhalers aren’t available in generic options. Some of these products may be covered by your insurance, or you may be able to save with a copay savings card or patient assistance program.
If you have asthma, talk to your healthcare provider about your options and which inhaler option is best for you.
Why trust our experts?
References
A-S Medication Solutions. (2021). Pulmicort Flexhaler [package insert].
AstraZeneca. (2019). Save on Pulmicort Flexhaler.
AstraZeneca Prescription Savings Program. (n.d.). How we help.
Covis Pharma US, Inc. (2021). Alvesco [package insert].
GlaxoSmithKline LLC. (2020). Arnuity Ellipta [package insert].
GlaxoSmithKline LLC. (2022). Flovent Diskus [package insert].
Global Initiative for Asthma. (2020). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention.
Organon LLC. (2021). Asmanex [package insert].
Organon LLC. (2021). Asmanex HFA [package insert].
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2022). Flovent HFA [package insert].
Teva Respiratory, LLC. (2022). Armonair Digihaler [package insert].
Teva Respiratory LLC. (2022). Qvar Redihaler [package insert].
Velsor-Friedrich, B., et al. (2009). Switching from CFC to HFA inhalers: What NPs and their patients need to know. The American Journal for Nurse Practitioners.
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