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Flovent

Why Was Flovent Discontinued? 4 Things to Know, Including Flovent Alternatives

Christina Aungst, PharmDStacia Woodcock, PharmD
Written by Christina Aungst, PharmD | Reviewed by Stacia Woodcock, PharmD
Updated on June 2, 2026

Key takeaways:

  • At the start of 2024, brand-name Flovent (fluticasone propionate) was discontinued by its manufacturer. This affected both Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus.

  • Brand-name Flovent was discontinued because an authorized generic version came to market. Authorized generics are made by the same manufacturer as the brand-name version but labeled with the generic name.

  • There are several Flovent alternatives available. Examples include Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone) and Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide).

Save on related medications

There are many roadblocks that can disrupt your prescriptions being filled at the pharmacy. Recalls and shortages are common reasons for this. Sometimes, a manufacturer might discontinue a medication. This was the case for brand-name Flovent (fluticasone propionate).

Manufacturer GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline) discontinued brand-name Flovent products on January 1, 2024. This included both Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus. These two inhalers had been widely prescribed for years to manage asthma.

Although it’s been a couple of years since this happened, many people still have questions about it. Why was Flovent discontinued? And is there a generic version? Below are four things to know about Flovent’s discontinuation, including alternative inhalers.

1. Flovent was discontinued because authorized generics came to market

Simply put, Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus were discontinued because authorized generic versions became available. In fact, Flovent HFA has had an authorized generic since May 2022. The authorized generic for Flovent Diskus was launched in October 2023.

2. Authorized generic fluticasone inhalers are the same as brand-name Flovent

There’s a good chance you take or have taken a generic medication at some point. Generic medications can help you save money at the pharmacy without sacrificing quality. What’s more, generic medications are held to the same rigorous standards by the FDA as brand-name medications.

But the authorized generic versions of Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus go a step beyond this. Not only are they made by the original manufacturer, but they’re also the exact same medication. They just have a label with a generic name on it. And they may be distributed by other companies.

You should expect the same results from authorized generic fluticasone inhalers as you experienced with brand-name Flovent.

Good to know: Traditional Flovent generics have started to become available. In March 2026, the FDA approved the first generic Flovent HFA. But this only applies to the lowest dose (44 mcg) of Flovent HFA. Higher doses and Flovent Diskus don’t have traditional generics yet.

3. It’s good to know how much generic Flovent costs

Once a generic version is available, costs tend to decrease. But in general, inhalers have higher costs than oral medications. Using GoodRx could help you save on generic Flovent.

The table below lists the average retail prices and the GoodRx prices for generic Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus. But keep in mind that you may pay less if you have insurance.

Generic fluticasone propionate inhaler type and dose

Average retail cost (per inhaler)

GoodRx price (per inhaler)

Fluticasone propionate HFA, 44 mcg

$198.13

$128.29

Fluticasone propionate HFA, 110 mcg

$260.39

$165.24

Fluticasone propionate HFA, 220 mcg

$443.49

$251.58

Fluticasone propionate Diskus, 50 mcg

$175.82

$123.83

Fluticasone propionate Diskus, 100 mcg

$189.82

$136.77

Fluticasone propionate Diskus, 250 mcg

$238.23

$174.75

Is generic Flovent covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans cover generic inhalers, such as generic Flovent. But it’s a good idea to check your plan’s medication formulary (list of covered medications). This can help you determine if generic Flovent is covered and how much it might cost.

You can usually find insurance formularies online or request them by mail. For instructions on how to locate your plan’s formulary, call the customer service number on your prescription insurance card.

4. There are alternatives to Flovent

If needed, there are alternatives to Flovent. You can discuss these options with the healthcare professional who prescribes your inhaler.

Flovent is an inhaled corticosteroid (steroid). Other inhalers in this class of medications include:

There are also combination inhalers that your asthma care team may suggest, depending on your symptoms and insurance coverage. Popular examples include:

Frequently asked questions

Every insurance plan covers different medications. Some plans cover generic Flovent. But others may prefer a different inhaler that works similarly to Flovent, such as Arnuity Ellipta.

Your insurance plan’s formulary can help you determine whether Flovent is covered. And if Flovent isn’t covered, your formulary should list which inhaled steroids are.

The authorized generic versions of Flovent have replaced the brand-name inhalers. This generic is called fluticasone propionate. It’s available in the same doses and formulations that brand-name Flovent was.

No, brand-name Flovent is no longer available. It was discontinued by the manufacturer in January 2024. Only the generic versions of Flovent are currently available.

The bottom line

At the beginning of 2024, brand-name Flovent (fluticasone propionate) was discontinued by the manufacturer. But both Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus have authorized generic versions available. Authorized generics are made by the same manufacturer as the brand-name version but are labeled with the generic name.

If needed, there are also several Flovent alternatives. Examples include Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone) and Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide). Talk to your prescriber about the best fit for your needs.

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Why trust our experts?

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.
Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

References

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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