Key takeaways:
Inhaled corticosteroids, such as the budesonide inhaler, are first-choice options for treating asthma. But many of these inhalers only come as brand-name products.
If you have insurance that doesn’t cover brand-name steroid inhalers, or if you’re uninsured, you may be able to save with GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, or patient assistance programs.
If you have asthma, talk to your healthcare team about whether an inhaled corticosteroid is right for you. Your prescriber can help you pick the best medication to manage your symptoms.
Save on related medications
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, the inhaler versions are first-choice options for treating asthma. But most of the inhalers containing these medications are only available as brand-name products, which can be expensive.
Here, we’ll cover information on five of the most common inhaled steroids for asthma, including what you can do to save on them.
1. Budesonide inhaler
The budesonide inhaler (Pulmicort Flexhaler) is a commonly prescribed corticosteroid treatment for asthma. It’s FDA approved for people as young as 6 years old.
Budesonide inhaler details | |
|---|---|
Type of inhaler | Dry powder inhaler (DPI), which means you inhale powder using a strong, deep breath |
How often to use it | Usually taken twice a day |
Generic availability | The budesonide inhaler is only available as the brand-name product Pulmicort Flexhaler. |
Other forms | Budesonide is also available as a nebulizer solution that comes as a brand-name product (Pulmicort Respules) and a generic. |
Other uses | Budesonide is used in combination inhalers, including Airsupra (albuterol / budesonide) and Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol). |
How to save on the budesonide inhaler
You may be able to save on the brand-name budesonide inhaler in a couple of ways:
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you could pay less with a copay savings card. You may be able to pay as little as $20 for a 30-day supply of Pulmicort Flexhaler.
Save with GoodRx. With a free GoodRx coupon, the price of 1 Pulmicort Flexhaler may be as low as $196.44 at certain pharmacies.
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
There are multiple versions of fluticasone inhalers, including Flovent HFA, Flovent Diskus, and Arnuity Ellipta. Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are approved for people ages 4 and older, while Arnuity Ellipta is approved for people ages 5 and older.
Fluticasone inhaler details | |
|---|---|
Type of inhaler | Fluticasone inhalers come in two types: metered-dose inhaler (Flovent HFA) and DPI (Flovent Diskus, Arnuity Ellipta). |
How often to use it | Usually taken once or twice daily, depending on the product and prescribed dose |
Generic availability | Flovent HFA, Flovent Diskus, and Arnuity Ellipta have authorized generics available. |
Other uses | Fluticasone is also used in combination inhalers for asthma, such as Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol) and Breo Ellipta (fluticasone / vilanterol). |
How to save on fluticasone inhalers
GoodRx can help you save on the authorized generic versions of fluticasone inhalers. With a free GoodRx coupon, the price of 1 generic Flovent HFA may be as low as $165.24. The price of 1 generic Flovent Diskus may be as low as $165.24, and the price of generic Arnuity Ellipta may be as low as $137.51.
3. Beclomethasone inhaler
The beclomethasone inhaler (Qvar RediHaler) is approved to treat asthma in adults and children who are at least 4 years old.
Beclomethasone inhaler details | |
|---|---|
Type of inhaler | Breath-actuated metered-dose inhaler, which means it releases medication automatically when you inhale |
How often to use it | Usually taken twice daily, but may vary depending on your prescribed dose |
Generic availability | The FDA has approved a generic version of the beclomethasone inhaler, but it may not be available until 2031 at the earliest. |
How to save on the beclomethasone inhaler
GoodRx could help you save on the beclomethasone inhaler. With a free GoodRx coupon, the price of 1 Qvar RediHaler may be as low as $263.89 at certain pharmacies.
4. Mometasone inhaler
There are a few versions of mometasone inhalers, including Asmanex HFA and Asmanex Twisthaler. Asmanex HFA is approved for people as young as 5 years old, while Asmanex Twisthaler is approved for people ages 4 and older.
What to know | |
|---|---|
Type of inhaler | Mometasone inhalers come in two types: metered-dose inhaler (Asmanex HFA) and DPI (Asmanex Twisthaler). |
How often to use it | Typically taken once or twice daily, depending on the product |
Generic availability | Asmanex HFA and Asmanex Twisthaler don’t currently have generic options available. |
Other uses | Mometasone is also used in combination inhalers, such as Dulera (mometasone / formoterol). |
How to save on mometasone inhalers
There are ways to save on mometasone inhalers, which are available as brand-name medications:
Save with GoodRx. With a free GoodRx coupon, the price of 1 Asmanex HFA inhaler may be as low as $114.60 at certain pharmacies. The price of 1 Asmanex Twisthaler may be as low as $131.64.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be able to pay as little as $15 for your Asmanex HFA or Asmanex Twisthaler prescription with a manufacturer copay savings card.
5. Ciclesonide inhaler
The ciclesonide inhaler (Alvesco) is approved to treat asthma in people who are at least 12 years old.
What to know | |
|---|---|
Type of inhaler | Metered-dose inhaler |
How often to use it | Typically taken twice daily |
Generic availability | Alvesco is currently only available as a brand-name inhaler. |
How to save on the ciclesonide inhaler
There are several ways to save on the ciclesonide inhaler, which is available as a brand-name medication:
Save with GoodRx. With a free GoodRx coupon, the price of 1 Alvesco inhaler may be as low as $154.48 at certain pharmacies.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance and meet other requirements, you could pay as little as $60 for your Alvesco prescription with a copay savings card.
Save with home delivery. Alvesco’s manufacturer offers a home delivery program that provides the inhaler for as little as $60 to eligible people who pay cash.
Save with a patient assistance program. If you don’t have insurance and meet other eligibility criteria, you may be able to access Alvesco at no charge through another manufacturer program.
Frequently asked questions
Budesonide is considered a potent inhaled steroid. It effectively reduces inflammation in the lungs and manages asthma symptoms. But it mainly works in the lungs and has fewer body-wide effects than oral steroids.
No, budesonide and albuterol are different types of medications.
Budesonide is a maintenance medication that reduces inflammation and is taken daily to prevent symptoms. Albuterol is a rescue medication that works quickly to open your airways during sudden symptoms. They’re often used together as part of an asthma treatment plan. Budesonide is also combined with albuterol in a rescue inhaler called Airsupra.
Budesonide is considered a potent inhaled steroid. It effectively reduces inflammation in the lungs and manages asthma symptoms. But it mainly works in the lungs and has fewer body-wide effects than oral steroids.
No, budesonide and albuterol are different types of medications.
Budesonide is a maintenance medication that reduces inflammation and is taken daily to prevent symptoms. Albuterol is a rescue medication that works quickly to open your airways during sudden symptoms. They’re often used together as part of an asthma treatment plan. Budesonide is also combined with albuterol in a rescue inhaler called Airsupra.
The bottom line
Inhaled steroid medications are often recommended as first-choice treatments for asthma. But most of the common steroid inhalers don’t have generic options. If you have insurance, some of these products may be covered by your plan. Or you may be able to save with a copay savings card or patient assistance program.
If you have asthma, talk to your healthcare team about your options and which inhaler might be best for you.
Why trust our experts?
References
Alvesco. (2025). Alvesco patient assistance program form. Azurity Pharmaceuticals.
Daley-Yates, P. T. (2015). Inhaled corticosteroids: Potency, dose equivalence and therapeutic index. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Global Initiative for Asthma. (2025). Global strategy for asthma management and prevention.
Kurtz, S. (2025). Beclomethasone dipropionate HFA inhalation: ANDA approval. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Organon. (2025). Asmanex - mometasone furoate inhalant [package insert]. DailyMed.
Organon. (2026). Asmanex HFA - mometasone furoate aerosol [package insert]. DailyMed.
