A GoodRx Savings Guide to 26 COPD Inhalers: Atrovent, Anoro, Breztri, and More
Key takeaways:
There are many ways to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhalers are one common option. Notable examples include Atrovent HFA (ipratropium), Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium / vilanterol), and Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide / glycopyrrolate / formoterol).
Many COPD inhalers are available to choose from. Most of them come as brand-name products, but some of them come as lower-cost generics too.
Your health insurance may cover the cost of your inhaler for COPD. But there are also other ways to save, especially if your copay is too high. GoodRx coupons, manufacturer copay cards, and patient assistance programs are available for many COPD inhalers. Some manufacturers have also implemented voluntary price caps.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that many people live with. It can be quite troubling, though, making easy breathing seem like a luxury. Thankfully, a personalized treatment plan from a pulmonologist can lead to notable lung improvements over time.
A key part of many COPD treatment plans is prescription medication — especially inhalers. Most COPD inhalers are designed to relax your airways for easier breathing. Some reduce inflammation too. And many of them release medication into your lungs in their own unique way.
One inhaler isn’t considered better than the rest. But the first step to using any inhaler is filling it at the pharmacy. Here, we’ll detail how to save on COPD inhalers.
The inhaler graphics in this article are based on information from Pyrls, a professional drug information website and mobile application for healthcare professionals and trainees that specializes in pharmacotherapy charts and summaries.
How to save on COPD inhalers
Health insurance is the preferred way to save on COPD inhalers. But if you don’t have insurance or your copay is too high, it’s time to think about other payment options.
Alternative savings options include:
Trying a GoodRx coupon
Applying a manufacturer copay card, especially if you have commercial insurance
Switching to an inhaler with a manufacturer-sponsored price cap
Looking into patient assistance programs (PAPs)
There are a wide variety of COPD inhalers to choose from. Each one is designed to deliver medication to your lungs in its own specific way. From metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and soft mist inhalers (SMIs) to dry powder inhalers (DPIs), there’s no shortage of options.
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SABA inhalers
Short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) are fast-acting inhalers that are meant to be used as needed. Also known as rescue inhalers, they help relieve COPD symptom flare-ups quickly. Each SABA dose lasts roughly 4 to 6 hours.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Generic albuterol | As-needed MDI for wheezing or shortness of breath | As low as $23.00 for generic ProAir HFA with a free GoodRx discount As low as $19.00 for generic Proventil HFA with a free GoodRx discount As low as $28.23 for generic Ventolin HFA with a free GoodRx discount |
Generic levalbuterol | As-needed MDI for wheezing or shortness of breath | As low as $58.16 with a free GoodRx discount |
ProAir Respiclick (albuterol) | As-needed DPI for wheezing or shortness of breath | As low as $75.27 with a free GoodRx discount |
Ventolin HFA (albuterol) | As-needed MDI for wheezing or shortness of breath | As low as $63.19 with a free GoodRx discount |
Xopenex HFA (levalbuterol) | As-needed MDI for wheezing or shortness of breath | As low as $75.92 with a free GoodRx discount |
SAMA inhalers
Short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs) are another group of fast-acting inhalers that make it easier to breathe. Also called anticholinergics, they do this by relaxing your airways.
One stand-alone SAMA inhaler is currently FDA approved to treat COPD: Atrovent HFA. It’s administered several times a day, but it’s not considered a rescue inhaler.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) | Short-acting MDI for COPD maintenance | As low as $312.97 with a free GoodRx discount |
LABA inhalers
Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) are COPD inhalers that promote better breathing and lung function over time. Unlike their short-acting counterparts, LABAs aren’t meant for fast-acting relief.
LABAs tend to last 12 to 24 hours per dose. Salmeterol-containing inhalers are typically administered twice a day, while oladaterol-containing inhalers are used once a day.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Serevent Diskus (salmeterol) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $414.53 with a free GoodRx discount PAP for Serevent |
Striverdi Respimat (olodaterol) | Long-acting SMI for COPD maintenance | As low as $257.88 with a free GoodRx discount |
LAMA inhalers
Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) are another group of maintenance COPD inhalers. They’re designed to relax the airways and provide symptomatic relief over time. They can also make pulmonary rehabilitation more effective and reduce the risk of breathing exacerbations.
Tiotropium and umeclidinium are once-daily inhalers, while aclidinium is used twice a day.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $75 for generic Spiriva HandiHaler using an exclusive GoodRx discount — also known as LupinHaler As low as $25 per prescription with a manufacturer copay card | |
Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $351.99 with a free GoodRx discount PAP for Incruse Ellipta |
Spiriva HandiHaler (tiotropium) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $337.62 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $35 per prescription with a manufacturer copay card |
Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) | Long-acting SMI for COPD maintenance | As low as $512.90 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $35 per prescription with a manufacturer copay card |
Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $350.76 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $0 per month with a manufacturer eVoucher |
Combination inhalers
Many COPD inhalers contain one active ingredient. But several others are available as combination products. Combination inhalers bring two or more active ingredients into a single device. They’re useful for people with relatively severe or frequent COPD symptoms who would otherwise need to fill multiple inhalers at the pharmacy.
The biggest benefit to combination inhalers is convenience, helping cut down on the number of devices you need to keep track of. This makes it easier to use your inhaler as prescribed.
SAMA + SABA inhalers
Combivent Respimat combines ipratropium, a SAMA, with albuterol, a SABA. It’s a good option if you’re using one bronchodilator and it's not doing enough to manage your symptoms.
Combivent Respimat is currently the only SAMA + SABA inhaler approved for COPD. It’s not a rescue inhaler.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Combivent Respimat (ipratropium / albuterol) | Short-acting SMI for COPD maintenance | As low as $484.79 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $35 per month with a manufacturer copay card |
LAMA + LABA inhalers
If COPD is meaningfully affecting your daily life and causing you to experience shortness of breath rather easily, your prescriber will likely prescribe a LAMA + LABA inhaler. This is done for the medications’ additive effects.
Several LAMA + LABA inhalers are available to choose from. The best choice may boil down to your symptoms, side effect tolerance, and affordability. Product availability can also play a role.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium / vilanterol) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $482.25 with a free GoodRx discount PAP for Anoro Ellipta |
Bevespi Aerosphere (glycopyrrolate / formoterol) | Long-acting MDI for COPD maintenance | As low as $423.27 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $35 per prescription with a manufacturer copay card PAP for Bevespi Aerosphere |
Duaklir Pressair (aclidinium / formoterol) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $304.80 with a free GoodRx discount |
Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium / olodaterol) | Long-acting SMI for COPD maintenance | As low as $476.02 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $35 per prescription with a manufacturer copay card |
ICS + LABA inhalers
Several inhalers contain an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a LABA. The ICS portion of these inhalers helps lessen inflammation in the lungs.
These inhalers are very common for treating asthma. But lung experts suggest that they aren’t as ideal for COPD when used by themselves. A big reason for this is the potential risk of pneumonia. If you need an ICS and have COPD, it’s better to use an ICS + LABA alongside a LAMA.
Medication | Description | How to save |
|---|---|---|
Generic fluticasone propionate / salmeterol | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $56.66 for generic Advair Diskus with a free GoodRx discount As low as $56.66 for Wixela Inhub, another Advair Diskus generic, with a free GoodRx discount Save up to $50 per Wixela Inhub prescription with a manufacturer copay card |
Generic fluticasone furoate / vilanterol | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $233.52 for generic Breo Ellipta with a free GoodRx discount |
Generic budesonide / formoterol | Long-acting MDI for COPD maintenance | As low as $97.09 for generic Symbicort with a free GoodRx discount As low as $98.00 for Breyna, another Symbicort generic, with a free GoodRx discount Save up to $30 per Breyna prescription with a manufacturer copay card |
Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate / salmeterol) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $200.11 with a free GoodRx discount |
Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / vilanterol) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $271.99 with a free GoodRx discount PAP for Breo Ellipta |
Symbicort (budesonide / formoterol) | Long-acting MDI for COPD maintenance | As low as $233.63 with a free GoodRx discount No more than $35 per month with a manufacturer copay card |
ICS + LAMA + LABA inhalers
Two “triple therapy” inhalers are approved to treat COPD. These inhalers combine an ICS, LAMA, and LABA into a single device.
If your prescriber collects your bloodwork and finds that you have high eosinophil counts, they may be inclined to prescribe this type of inhaler. Adding an ICS to your medication regimen can help reduce eosinophil levels, which in turn lowers the risk of COPD exacerbations. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell in your immune system.
Medication | Description | How to save |
Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide / glycopyrrolate / formoterol) | Long-acting MDI for COPD maintenance | As low as $634.68 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $0 per prescription with a manufacturer copay card |
Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol) | Long-acting DPI for COPD maintenance | As low as $659.81 with a free GoodRx discount As low as $0 for up to a 90-day supply with a manufacturer copay card PAP for Trelegy |
The bottom line
Many chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) inhalers are FDA approved and available for use. Atrovent HFA (ipratropium), Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium / vilanterol), and Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide / glycopyrrolate / formoterol) are three common examples.
All COPD inhalers offer their own benefits. But in some cases, the best inhaler for you may come down to affordability. Health insurance may cover part or all of the cost of inhalers for COPD, but that won’t always be enough. GoodRx discounts, manufacturer copay cards, and patient support programs can also help make COPD inhalers more affordable. Some manufacturers have also implemented voluntary price caps.
Why trust our experts?
References
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Spiriva Handihaler. (n.d.). Request the spiriva handihaler savings card to see if you are eligible to pay as little as $35* for a 30-day prescription fill. Boehringer Ingelheim.
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