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Advair Diskus alternatives: What can I take instead of Advair Diskus?

Advair Diskus doesn't work for everyone. Wixela Inhub, Advair HFA, Breo Ellipta, Anoro Ellipta, and Trelegy are some Advair Diskus alternatives. Get the full list here.
Gerardo Sison medical writer headshot
By | Nov. 30, 2022
Rx inhaler: Advair Diskus alternatives

Key takeaways

  • Wixela Inhub, Advair HFA, Breo Ellipta, Anoro Ellipta, and Trelegy are common alternatives to Advair Diskus for treating asthma and COPD.

  • Advair Diskus, a combination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol, may not be suitable for everyone due to side effects, cost, and allergies.

  • In addition to pharmaceutical options, natural remedies and lifestyle changes are suggested for managing and improving symptoms of asthma and COPD.

  • Switching from Advair Diskus to an alternative medication should be done under medical supervision to ensure proper adjustment and to avoid adverse effects.

In this article:

Advair Diskus, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, is one of the most commonly prescribed inhalers. It is approved to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Advair Diskus comes as a dry powder inhaler that contains a combination of two active ingredients: fluticasone propionate and salmeterol. Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that helps reduce inflammation in the lungs, while salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) that relaxes the muscles in the lungs and opens up the airways.

Although Advair Diskus is effective for preventing COPD and asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and wheezing, it is not right for everyone. For example, many people may find that the generic version is cheaper than the brand name. Other people may have different problems with Advair Diskus, such as forgetting to take it twice daily, side effects, or an allergy to milk proteins or other ingredients in the inhaler.

Whatever the case may be, a healthcare provider can recommend an alternative option to Advair Diskus. Continue reading to learn more about Advair Diskus alternatives and how they compare. 

What can I take in place of Advair Diskus?

There are numerous alternatives to Advair Diskus available on the market. Some alternatives come in different forms, such as metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, and soft-mist inhalers. These alternatives also come in both generic and brand-name forms. 

In people with persistent asthma, a combination of an ICS and LABA is often prescribed to control symptoms. Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol), Breo (fluticasone/vilanterol), and Dulera (mometasone/formoterol) are similar inhalers to Advair Diskus that contain an ICS and LABA combination. Other treatment options include long-acting muscarinic antagonists or anticholinergics, such as Spiriva (tiotropium), leukotriene modifiers, such as Singular (montelukast), and biologics, such as Xolair (omalizumab). These alternatives may differ in how they work, how much they cost, and how they’re used. 

One important thing to note is that Advair Diskus and its alternatives should only be used as a maintenance treatment for asthma or COPD. They should not be used as rescue inhalers for COPD exacerbations or for asthma attacks. Instead, a healthcare provider will prescribe a short-acting beta agonist, such as ProAir (albuterol) or Ventolin (albuterol), for immediate relief of a COPD or asthma attack. 

Compare Advair Diskus alternatives
Drug name Uses Usual Dosage Savings options
Advair Diskus (fluticasone/salmeterol) Asthma, COPD 1 puff of 100 mcg/50 mcg, 250 mcg/50 mcg, 500 mcg/50 mcg twice daily Advair Diskus coupons
Dulera (mometasone/formoterol)  Asthma 2 puffs of 100 mcg/5 mcg or 200 mcg/5 mcg twice daily Dulera coupons
Breo Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol) Asthma, COPD 1 puff of 100 mcg/25 mcg or 200 mcg/25 mcg once daily Breo Ellipta coupons
Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) Asthma, COPD 2 puffs of 80 mcg/4.5 mcg or 160 mcg/4.5 mcg twice daily Symbicort coupons
Anoro Ellipta (umeclidinium/vilanterol) COPD 1 puff of 62.5 mcg/25 mcg once daily Anoro Ellipta coupons
Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium/olodaterol) COPD 2 puffs of 2.5 mcg/2.5 mcg once daily Stiolto Respimat coupons
Combivent Respimat (ipratropium/albuterol) COPD 1 puff of 20 mcg/100 mcg 4-6 times daily Combivent Respimat coupons
Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol) Asthma, COPD 1 puff of 100 mcg/62.5 mcg/25 mcg once daily Trelegy Ellipta coupons
Bevespi Aerosphere (glycopyrrolate/formoterol) COPD 2 puffs of 9 mcg/4.8 mcg twice daily Bevespi Aerosphere coupons
Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) Asthma, COPD 2 puffs of 2.5 mcg once daily Spiriva Respimat coupons
Asmanex HFA (mometasone) Asthma 2 puffs of 100 mcg or 200 mcg twice daily Asmanex HFA coupons

Other alternatives to Advair Diskus

Top 5 Advair Diskus alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Advair Diskus.

1. Generic Advair Diskus 

The FDA approved the first generic Advair Diskus in 2019, called Wixela Inhub. It contains the same ingredients found in brand-name Advair Diskus and has been shown to improve and control symptoms in people with COPD or asthma. However, the generic version should be more affordable than the brand-name version. If cost is the main concern with finding an alternative to Advair Diskus, opting for the generic version could be the right solution. 

2. Advair HFA

Brand-name Advair comes in two forms: a dry powder inhaler (Advair Diskus) and a metered dose inhaler (Advair HFA). Using a metered dose inhaler is usually harder than using a dry powder inhaler, as using a metered dose inhaler requires some coordination between pressing down on the canister and inhaling the medicine. However, dry powder inhalers like Advair Diskus often contain milk proteins, which can be a problem for someone who is lactose intolerant. Advair HFA does not contain milk proteins and can be a good alternative. Unlike Advair Diskus, however, Advair HFA is only approved for the treatment of asthma.

3. Breo Ellipta

Breo Ellipta is a brand-name inhaler that contains an ICS and LABA combination like Advair Diskus. The active ingredients in Breo Ellipta are fluticasone furoate and vilanterol. Like Advair Diskus, Breo Ellipta is supplied as an inhalation powder. However, Breo Ellipta is taken as one puff once daily, whereas Advair Diskus is taken as one puff twice daily. People who have trouble forgetting to take their second dose of Advair Diskus may find the dosing schedule of Breo Ellipta more convenient. One thing to keep in mind is that Breo Ellipta is approved to treat asthma in people aged 18 and older, while Advair Diskus is approved to treat asthma in people aged four years and older. 

RELATED: Breo vs. Advair: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

4. Anoro Ellipta

Anoro Ellipta is a brand-name inhaler approved to treat COPD. It contains an anticholinergic called umeclidinium and a LABA called vilanterol. Like Advair Diskus, Anoro Ellipta comes as a dry powder inhaler. However, Anoro Ellipta can be dosed once daily. In addition, studies have found that once-daily use of Anoro Ellipta improved lung function more than twice-daily use of Advair Diskus over three months. Unlike Advair Diskus, Anoro Ellipta is not approved to treat asthma. 

5. Trelegy

Trelegy is a triple therapy medication approved to treat COPD. It contains a combination of fluticasone furoate, an ICS, umeclidinium, an anticholinergic, and vilanterol, a LABA. If treatment with Advair Diskus is not improving symptoms of COPD, a healthcare provider may recommend an alternative like Trelegy. Some people may also prefer Trelegy because of its once-daily dosing. However, Trelegy is a dry powder inhaler that contains milk proteins, which may not be suitable for someone with a severe milk allergy. 

Natural alternatives to Advair Diskus

Natural or non-medication alternatives to Advair Diskus may be useful for improving and controlling symptoms of asthma or COPD. In most cases, a healthcare provider may recommend healthy lifestyle changes on top of medication. These lifestyle changes may include managing a healthy weight, reducing stress, and quitting smoking. 

Breathing exercises, such as pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, may be beneficial for improving lung function and managing shortness of breath. Other exercises such as yoga or tai chi can also make it easier to breathe and control symptoms. 

Supplements and herbal medicine may also be helpful for managing respiratory diseases and controlling symptoms. As research has shown that a deficiency in vitamin D may contribute to worsened severity of COPD, vitamin D supplements may help manage COPD. In addition, some studies suggest that ginseng can help improve lung function. Before taking a supplement or herbal medicine for your condition, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. Some supplements and herbal medicines may interact with other prescription drugs you may be taking. 

RELATED: 7 home remedies for asthma—and what to do if they don’t work

How to switch to an Advair Diskus alternative

If you’re considering switching to an alternative, you should always seek medical advice from a healthcare professional first. Switching to an Advair Diskus alternative is a process that needs to be carried out under the guidance of a professional. Here are some things to keep in mind when switching medications.

  • Do not stop taking Advair Diskus suddenly. Suddenly stopping Advair Diskus could lead to a worsening of symptoms as well as withdrawal symptoms from the corticosteroid. 
  • Learn how to use the inhaler correctly. Inhalers will not work unless they are used properly. If you are switching to a metered dose inhaler or another type of inhaler, learn how to use the inhaler correctly in order to get the most benefit. Using certain inhalers correctly can also help prevent certain side effects, such as oral thrush. 
  • Check your insurance coverage. Sometimes making a switch is a matter of finding the most affordable option. Contact your insurance company or pharmacist to find out the cost of your different treatment options. If price is an issue, SingleCare can help. Using a SingleCare prescription discount card can help in adding extra savings at local pharmacy. 
  • Ask your doctor about common side effects and drug interactions. Tell your doctor about any medications you take and other medical conditions you have before starting a new treatment. Some medications and medical conditions may increase the risk of side effects or drug interactions.