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Key takeaways
Brand-name Flovent is no longer available in the United States. Instead, drugmaker GSK provides authorized generics of Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus.
Authorized generic fluticasone propionate devices are generally available at lower prices than the prior branded drug, but out-of-pocket costs also consider insurance coverage and pharmacy, among other factors.
Fluticasone propionate is not a rescue inhaler. It should never be used during an acute asthma attack.
Flovent (fluticasone propionate) is a prescription inhaled corticosteroid used as a long-term daily maintenance treatment to control and prevent asthma attacks. The active ingredient is also Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved as an oral inhaled corticosteroid for other medical conditions, including non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis, and used off-label in the maintenance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and eosinophilic esophagitis.
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the brand-name inhalers Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are no longer available, replaced by authorized generic versions of fluticasone propionate in their respective delivery systems—metered-dose inhaler and dry powder inhaler.
Fluticasone propionate is an orally inhaled corticosteroid generally dosed twice daily, and should never be used as a rescue inhaler for acute asthma attacks, an indication reserved for Ventolin (albuterol). Unfortunately, uninsured patients may need to pay the full retail price for authorized generic versions of fluticasone. Although fluticasone propionate nasal spray (Flonase) can be purchased over the counter, it should never be used in place of an orally inhaled corticosteroid.
Is Flovent covered by insurance?
As a life-saving medication, fluticasone propionate is likely covered by most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. However, some insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers may require prior authorization, and the medicine may be a high-tier drug, meaning that you’ll pay a higher copay than other medications covered by your plan.
Health insurance can help offset much of the cost of a fluticasone prescription, but the actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on the insurance plan’s copay cost and deductible. Some insurance companies may not pay for the authorized generic because it may cost them more than even more branded prescription medications. In this case, potentially lower-cost alternatives may need to be explored, and this would serve as a good time for individuals and their healthcare providers to determine the next best choice. For some, such as young children under 5, the doctor should seek a formulary exception if coverage is denied, as not all alternative metered-dose inhalers are approved for dosing in children that young.
How much does Flovent cost without insurance?
Uninsured patients will find that the full retail price for fluticasone propionate HFA is $445 for one inhaler containing 12 gm of 110 mcg per aerosol actuation.
Fluticasone propionate HFA dosages range from 88 mcg 440 mcg twice per day. Each inhaler contains 120 actuations, or puffs; each dose generally requires 2 puffs taken twice daily. Therefore, most metered-dose inhalers, available as 44 mcg/actuation, 110 mcg/actuation, and 220 mcg/actuation, will last approximately 30 days.
Without insurance, fluticasone propionate dry powder inhalation devices cost $361 per device. The standard dose with this device is between 50 mcg and 1,000 mcg twice per day, so most devices last one month. In exception to typical dosing, however, a fluticasone propionate dry powder inhalation device is only good for six weeks after the foil pouch is opened.
There are no over-the-counter drugs or supplements that can be effectively or safely substituted for inhaled corticosteroids. Fluticasone, the active ingredient, is widely available as an over-the-counter nasal spray called Flonase, but never consider substituting fluticasone nasal spray for a fluticasone inhaler. Fluticasone nasal spray is only intended to relieve nasal and sinus symptoms. In the nasal spray form, very little fluticasone reaches the lungs, where it’s needed to control asthma symptoms.
| Compare Flovent prices to related drugs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Fluticasone propionate metered-dose inhaler/HFA | $445 per 1, 12 gm of 110 mcg/act aerosol | $178 per 1, 12 gm of 110 mcg/act of brand-name Flovent HFA | See updated prices |
| Fluticasone propionate dry powder inhaler/diskus | $361 per 1, 60 aerosol powder breath-activated inhaler | $172 per 1, 60 aerosol powder of brand-name Flovent Diskus | See updated prices |
| Alvesco (ciclesonide) | $425 per 1, 6.1 gm of 160 mcg/act aerosol solution | $279 per 1, 6.1 gm of 160 mcg/act of brand-name Alvesco | See updated prices |
| Asmanex HFA (mometasone furoate) | $242 per 1, 13 gm of 100 mcg/act aerosol inhaler | $106 per 1, 13 gm of 100 mcg/act aerosol inhaler | See updated prices |
| Pulmicort (budesonide) | $405 per 30, 2 mL of 0.5 mg/2 mL suspension | $40 per 30, 2 mL of 0.5 mg/2 mL of generic Pulmicort | See updated prices |
| Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide) | $357 per 1, 180 mcg/act aerosol inhaler | $230 per 1, 180 mcg/act aerosol inhaler | See updated prices |
| Qvar Redihaler (beclomethasone) | $407 per 1, 10.6 gm of 80 mcg/act aerosol inhaler | $290 per 1, 10.6 gm of 80 mcg/act aerosol inhaler | See updated prices |
| Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) | $505 per 1, 10.2 gm of 160-4.5 mcg/act aerosol | $110 per 1, 10.2 gm of 160-4.5 mcg/act of generic Symbicort | See updated prices |
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. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
RELATED: Symbicort alternatives | Qvar vs. Flovent
How to get fluticasone propionate without insurance
The annual cost of fluticasone propionate without a health plan can cost individuals over $5,000 per year. Paying for a Flovent prescription at full price can be hard to manage. At the time that this article was published, the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), did not offer any manufacturer coupons, copay savings cards, or patient assistance programs for these products. Fortunately, there are more ways to save on necessary asthma medications like fluticasone propionate.
1. Take advantage of a SingleCare discount card
You can find free coupons on SingleCare that can reduce the cost of a fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler to $178—a savings of more than $250 per inhaler based on current cash price data. A SingleCare savings card can be found in the SingleCare app or downloaded or printed from the website to be used immediately to save money on prescription medications at thousands of local pharmacies.
2. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other inhaled corticosteroids
Unfortunately, most other inhaled corticosteroids that could substitute for high-priced fluticasone propionate are premium-priced brand-name drugs as well. Some, though, are less expensive. Ask a healthcare professional for medical advice about the effectiveness and safety of other steroid inhalers for a lower cash price.
3. Shop around for the best fluticasone propionate price
It pays to find the lowest price before filling a prescription. Search for your prescription on SingleCare to compare drug prices at U.S. pharmacies near you.
4. Get health insurance
For chronic conditions like asthma that require life-long medical treatment, often the best way to save money on prescriptions is to purchase health insurance coverage. It could be considerably less expensive than paying for a year of inhaled corticosteroids out of pocket. Go to your state’s health insurance marketplace to compare policies and prices. Remember, though, that insurance can only be purchased through the marketplace during open enrollment periods.
5. Apply for Medicaid
You might be eligible for health insurance through your state’s Medicaid program. Life-saving drugs like Flovent could cost very little through a Medicaid health insurance plan.
RELATED: What is Medicaid?
6. Apply for Extra Help
Extra Help is a low-income subsidy that helps cover Medicare Part D costs. If you have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, you should investigate whether you qualify for Extra Help. In addition to copays, you could also save on Part D deductibles, premiums, and even eliminate the Part D penalty if it applies to you.
7. Ask the city or county for help
Drugs like fluticasone propionate are necessary medications. City, county, and state health departments are crucial sources for finding life-saving medical treatment and medications. They can direct you to community clinics and other resources that may be able to provide fluticasone propionate or other inhaled corticosteroids for free or at very little cost. You can also call 211 for financial assistance.
- 2020 focused updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines: A report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program coordinating committee expert panel working group, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2020)
- Eosinophilic bronchitis: Clinical manifestations and implications for treatment, Thorax (2002)
- Effects of fluticasone propionate in COPD patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, Thorax (2002)
- Efficacy of budesonide vs. fluticasone for initial treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis in a randomized control trial, Gastroenterology (2020)