Arnuity Ellipta alternatives: What can I take instead of Arnuity Ellipta?

In this article:

• Arnuity Ellipta alternatives
• Fluticasone propionate
• Pulmicort Flexhaler
• Asmanex HFA
• Qvar RediHaler
• Alvesco
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch

In this article

• Arnuity Ellipta alternatives
• Fluticasone propionate
• Pulmicort Flexhaler
• Asmanex HFA
• Qvar RediHaler
• Alvesco
• Natural alternatives
• How to switch

Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone furoate) is a brand-name prescription dry powder inhaler (DPI) taken once daily to control asthma in adults and children ages 5 years and older. The active ingredient in Arnuity Ellipta, fluticasone furoate, is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), which is an anti-inflammatory drug that prevents asthma symptoms by reducing airway inflammation. While Arnuity Ellipta is an effective treatment for many people, it may not be the best option for everyone. Cost, side effects, allergic reactions, or difficulties with the use of the inhaler are all reasons people may need to switch to a different ICS inhaler.

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What can I take instead of Arnuity Ellipta?

People have three major options they can use instead of Arnuity Ellipta. For people who cannot take the deep breaths required with a powder inhaler, one option is to switch to a fluticasone aerosol inhaler. If Arnuity Ellipta isn’t working well, the second option is to switch to a different inhaled corticosteroid, like Pulmicort (budesonide), Asmanex (mometasone furoate), Qvar (beclomethasone diproprionate), or Alvesco (ciclesonide). These steroids differ in their potency and side effect risks. They are listed in the cost comparison table below. The third option is to add a long-acting beta agonist (LABA), or bronchodilator, such as formoterol, vilanterol, or salmeterol, to daily steroid treatment. Some inhalers combine an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator, such as Symbicort, Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, and Dulera. Alternatively, an anticholinergic, such as Spiriva Respimat, can be used to treat asthma.

If cost is an issue, switching to the generic version of Arnuity Ellipta may not be a great option. It costs about the same as the brand-name version. Unfortunately, inhaled corticosteroids are often expensive, but switching might save you tens of dollars off the retail price.

Inhaled corticosteroids cannot treat an acute asthma attack, so it is important to carry a rescue inhaler in case asthma symptoms quickly worsen.

Top 5 Arnuity Ellipta alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Arnuity Ellipta.

1. Fluticasone propionate

Fluticasone propionate is an earlier version of fluticasone and was marketed under the well-known brand names Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus. How does it compare with Arnuity Ellipta? Fluticasone furoate, the active ingredient in Arnuity Ellipta, is more potent and lasts longer than fluticasone propionate. It’s 1.7 times more powerful at binding to receptors in the lungs, so its effects last longer at lower doses. An advantage of Arnuity Ellipta is that it requires only one daily dose, whereas people using fluticasone propionate for asthma have to take two doses per day.

For those who can’t use a powder inhaler, switching to an aerosol fluticasone propionate inhaler (fluticasone propionate HFA) may be the best option for maintenance treatment of asthma. Compared with most other inhaled corticosteroids, fluticasone propionate is a potent corticosteroid that reduces the incidence of asthma attacks and rescue inhaler use.

Side effects of fluticasone propionate are similar to those of Arnuity Ellipta. The most common side effects are upper respiratory tract infection and sore throat. Other common side effects include upper respiratory inflammation, hoarseness, oral thrush (fungal infection), bronchitis, sinus swelling, and cough.

2. Pulmicort Flexhaler

Pulmicort Flexhaler is an effective asthma inhaler that contains budesonide, another type of corticosteroid. Budesonide is about 1/3 as potent as fluticasone furoate at binding to receptors, so it doesn’t last as long and requires twice-daily dosing. Studies have shown that it is less likely to cause certain side effects, such as a sore throat, than fluticasone furoate.

Like Arnuity Ellipta, Pulmicort Flexhaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI). The FDA has approved its use in adults and children 6 years of age and older, while Arnuity Ellipta is approved for use in children as young as 5 years of age. The side effects are similar for both, but their incidence is lower among Pulmicort users. The most common side effect is inflammation of the nose and throat.

3. Asmanex HFA

Asmanex HFA contains mometasone furoate in an aerosol spray inhaler. Mometasone furoate is a potent corticosteroid, second only to fluticasone furoate in receptor binding. Still, patients need to take Asmanex HFA twice daily. However, it may be easier for some patients to use an aerosol inhaler than a dry powder inhaler.

Asmanex HFA is approved for use in patients aged 12 years and older. The side effects are similar to Arnuity Ellipta’s side effects. The most common side effects of Asmanex are nasal and throat swelling and headache. As with all inhaled corticosteroids, oral thrush is a risk, but the incidence is lower in Asmanex users.

4. Qvar RediHaler

Qvar RediHaler contains beclomethasone dipropionate as an aerosol spray. Beclomethasone dipropionate is about half as powerful as fluticasone furoate at binding to receptors, so two doses per day are required. However, fewer people report side effects from Qvar RediHaler, particularly nasal swelling or sore throat.

Qvar RediHaler is approved for use in patients as young as 4 years of age. The side effects are similar to those of Arnuity Ellipta, but the most common with Qvar RediHaler are oral thrush and upper respiratory tract infections.

5. Alvesco

Alvesco contains ciclesonide in an aerosol spray inhaler. Ciclesonide is a newer corticosteroid and is nearly as powerful as beclomethasone at binding to receptors. It, too, requires two doses per day to be effective.

Alvesco is approved for use in patients aged 12 years and older. The most common side effects include headache, nasal and throat swelling, sore throat, and upper respiratory infections. As with other inhaled corticosteroids, oral thrush is also a risk.

Natural alternatives to Arnuity Ellipta

At this time, there is no cure for asthma. Any alternative treatments or supplements that claim to cure asthma should be avoided. That said, some natural therapies may help reduce asthma symptoms. Natural relaxation exercises such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and yoga may help relieve stress that might otherwise trigger an asthma attack.

Although studies on alternative treatments for asthma have been limited, dietary changes may help reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks. Certain diets, such as the Mediterranean diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, may help alleviate asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation in the body. Avoiding foods that trigger allergies may also reduce asthma symptoms. Other foods may help keep airways open. For instance, caffeine is a mild bronchodilator. Finally, weight loss may improve lung function.

It is important to remember that the best treatment for an acute asthma attack is a short-acting rescue inhaler, such as Proair (albuterol).

How to switch to an Arnuity Ellipta alternative

Because of the many ICS inhaler options, those with asthma may decide to switch inhalers. Reasons for changing inhalers include allergic reactions, worsening asthma symptoms, adherence issues, poor inhaler technique, adverse events, patient preferences, and cost considerations. Inhaled corticosteroids are similar to one another but not identical, and come in various dosage forms. They vary in their effectiveness and safety. The decision to switch from Arnuity Ellipta to another medication should be made with the prescribing healthcare provider to ensure that the appropriate medical advice and proper training on the use of the new inhaler are received.