Yes, there are generic versions of both Advair Diskus and Advair HFA available in the United States. The most widely known is Wixela Inhub, a generic equivalent of Advair Diskus approved by the FDA in January 2019. Authorized generic versions of Advair HFA are also on the market through Prasco Laboratories.
Generic Options for Advair Diskus
Wixela Inhub, made by Mylan (now Viatris), is a true generic substitute for Advair Diskus. It contains the same two active ingredients: fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the airways, and salmeterol, a long-acting bronchodilator that opens air passages to improve breathing. The product comes in the same three strengths as Advair Diskus: 100/50 mcg, 250/50 mcg, and 500/50 mcg.
Clinical testing confirmed that Wixela and Advair Diskus are bioequivalent. In a 28-day study, patients using Wixela showed lung function improvements comparable to those on the brand-name product. Both groups had statistically significant improvements over placebo, and the ratio of results between the two inhalers fell within the accepted range for bioequivalence. In practical terms, Wixela works the same way Advair Diskus does.
Because Wixela carries a therapeutic equivalence rating from the FDA, your pharmacist can substitute it automatically when your prescription is written for Advair Diskus, unless your doctor specifically requests the brand name.
GlaxoSmithKline (the maker of Advair) also launched its own authorized generic of Advair Diskus in early 2019, just before Wixela hit the market. Authorized generics are identical to the brand product, made by the same manufacturer, but sold at a lower price under a generic label.
Generic Options for Advair HFA
Advair HFA is the metered-dose inhaler version of Advair, which uses a pressurized canister rather than a dry powder disk. Authorized generic versions of Advair HFA are available through Prasco Laboratories in all three strengths: 45/21 mcg, 115/21 mcg, and 230/21 mcg. These are the same formulation as brand-name Advair HFA, repackaged and sold at a lower cost.
How Much Cheaper Are the Generics?
The savings can be substantial. When Wixela Inhub launched, its wholesale acquisition cost was 70% lower than brand-name Advair Diskus. The three strengths were priced at roughly $94, $116, and $153 at wholesale, compared to significantly higher list prices for the brand. It was also 67% cheaper than GSK’s own authorized generic at the time of launch.
Your actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on your insurance plan, pharmacy, and whether you use a discount card. Wholesale prices don’t always translate directly to what you pay at the counter, but the gap between brand and generic is real and consistent. If cost is a concern, ask your pharmacist to fill with whichever generic option your plan covers at the lowest copay.
AirDuo RespiClick Is Not a True Generic
You may see AirDuo RespiClick mentioned alongside Advair alternatives, but it is not a generic substitute. AirDuo is a separate brand-name product approved through a different regulatory pathway. While it contains the same two active ingredients, the doses are notably different. AirDuo uses roughly half the fluticasone dose and about one-quarter of the salmeterol dose found in the corresponding Advair Diskus strengths. Your doctor may prescribe AirDuo as an alternative, but a pharmacist cannot swap it in for an Advair prescription the way they can with Wixela Inhub.
What to Know About Switching
If you’re currently on Advair Diskus, switching to Wixela Inhub is straightforward since the medications are therapeutically equivalent. The inhaler device looks different (Wixela uses a device called the “Inhub” rather than the Diskus), so take a moment to read the instructions or ask your pharmacist for a quick walkthrough. The basic concept is the same: load a dose, breathe in deeply, hold your breath for a few seconds, and exhale.
If you’re on Advair HFA and switch to the authorized generic HFA version from Prasco, the device and technique are identical since it’s the same product under a different label. No adjustment is needed.
For either form, your dosing schedule stays the same: one inhalation twice daily, roughly 12 hours apart. The generic versions are approved for the same uses as Advair, including maintenance treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).