How much is Advair HFA without insurance?

In this article:

• What is the generic for Advair HFA?
• Is Advair HFA covered by insurance?
• How much does Advair HFA cost without insurance?
• How to get Advair HFA without insurance

In this article

• What is the generic for Advair HFA?
• Is Advair HFA covered by insurance?
• How much does Advair HFA cost without insurance?
• How to get Advair HFA without insurance

Advair HFA is a prescription inhaler that combines a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) to open up bronchial tubes with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) to reduce airway inflammation. It works wonderfully for asthma and may be used off-label for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Relief from wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath is priceless, but Advair HFA can carry a hefty price tag for those without insurance. One 12-gram, brand-name 115-21 mcg inhaler has an estimated retail cost of $540. With coupons, discount cards, and other savings tips, you can lower the price significantly, making it worthwhile to learn more.

What is the generic for Advair HFA?

Yes, Advair HFA has a generic form available. The active ingredients are the same: the LABA salmeterol and the ICS fluticasone propionate. Both brand and generic versions are available as 12-gram inhalers containing fluticasone-salmeterol in three dose combinations: 45-21 mcg per dose, 115-21 mcg per dose, and 230-21 mcg per dose. Brand-name Advair HFA also comes in a smaller 8-gram inhaler size.

Generics are typically less expensive than their brand-name counterparts, and Advair HFA is no exception. A generic 12-gram fluticasone-salmeterol inhaler with a 115-21 mcg dose can be purchased for $260 with a SingleCare discount card.

Is Advair HFA covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage for Advair HFA, both brand and generic versions, is highly variable. You should check the drug formulary if you have a prescription drug plan via your commercial health insurance or Medicare Advantage plan. The formulary will tell you if Advair HFA coverage is included and what your copay will be.

There are a number of alternative inhalers that combine an LABA and ICS, and whether Advair HFA or another option is preferred is up to the insurance company. 

How much does Advair HFA cost without insurance?

Without insurance, an Advair HFA 115-21 mcg inhaler with 12 grams of medication can cost $540. Considering that this inhaler delivers 120 inhalations and Advair HFA is typically taken as 2 inhalations twice daily, the price is $540 per month. Advair is a daily controller and not an as-needed rescue inhaler like albuterol. That breaks down to $18 each day with an annual expense of $6,480.

Specific pricing does depend on some variable factors. The numbers will differ from one pharmacy to another. Dosing matters as well. Lower doses tend to come with a lower price.

As we have covered, generic fluticasone-salmeterol HFA is cheaper than brand Advair HFA. A 12-gram, 115-21 mcg inhaler with a SingleCare discount costs $260. The lower dose fluticasone-salmeterol 12-gram inhaler delivers 45-21 mcg doses with each inhalation and is discounted at $220. Conversely, the 230-21 mcg generic inhaler at the same 12-gram size can cost $340 with a discount. Your healthcare provider will determine which dose is best for controlling your asthma.

Considering the other LABA-ICS combination inhalers may also help with savings and present a price advantage.

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Advair HFA without insurance

Most inhalers, including Advair HFA, may be hard to budget for. Even for those with health insurance, your prescribed inhaler may not be covered or may require an out-of-pocket copay. Advair HFA’s manufacturer has a patient assistant program called GSK For You, but eligibility requirements must be met. Luckily, there are discount opportunities that apply to more people.

1. Use a SingleCare discount card

The SingleCare discount card is a free, easy, and reliable way to save money on Advair HFA and many other medications. Simply present it to your pharmacist to see how much you can save. Using it can mean spending $260 for a 12-gram generic version instead of $540 for the same size inhaler at the 115-21 mcg dose.

2. Price check at different pharmacies

The price of Advair HFA can be very different from one pharmacy to another. SingleCare coupons allow you to shop around at over 35,000 pharmacies in the United States to compare pricing and ensure the best deal. The discounted price of generic Advair HFA 115-21 mcg with a SingleCare coupon can vary from $260 to $410 for a 12-gram inhaler, meaning you could save 30% by finding the pharmacy with the lowest price.

3. Compare other forms of inhaled fluticasone-salmeterol

The active ingredients in Advair are included in several other inhalers. Generic fluticasone-salmeterol HFA is one option, and as we have discussed, it costs $260 for a 12-gram inhaler with 115-21 mcg per inhalation. An even lower-priced alternative is the Airduo Respiclick inhaler, which may cost as little as $120 for a 113-14 mcg inhaler that would last a month.

The least expensive option could be a generic fluticasone-salmeterol dry-powder diskus inhaler. Instead of an inhalation aerosol, you could use an inhalation powder with the same active ingredients. A one-month supply, using a 60-dose diskus inhaler with 250-50 mcg per inhalation taken twice daily, may cost as low as $48. That is nearly $500 less per month than brand-name Advair HFA.

4. Look into other ICS-LABA inhalers

Fluticasone is not the only ICS, and salmeterol is not the only LABA. In fact, there may be better LABAs. Formoterol is not only a long-lasting bronchodilator but is also quick-acting, which is an advantage over salmeterol. It could also be used for an asthma attack rather than just long-term prevention of asthma symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider for medical advice on which option is best suited for you.

It may be helpful to discuss price differences within this drug class with your healthcare provider. A generic 10.2-gram budesonide-formoterol inhaler with a 160-4.5 mcg dose per inhalation could cost as little as $110, which is less than a similar one-month supply of generic Advair HFA. Comparing prices, efficacy, and side effects should lead you and your healthcare team to the best decision.