Is there a generic for Breztri Aerosphere?

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Breztri?
• What is Breztri Aerosphere?
• Why doesn't Breztri have a generic yet?
• How much does Breztri cost without a generic?
• Frequently asked questions

In this article

• Is there a generic for Breztri?
• What is Breztri Aerosphere?
• Why doesn't Breztri have a generic yet?
• How much does Breztri cost without a generic?
• Frequently asked questions

Breztri Aerosphere is a brand-name prescription inhaler with three active ingredients: budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate. This triple therapy, combination inhaler is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ongoing maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults and asthma in adults and children 12 and older. Retail prices for a single Breztri Aerosphere inhaler can be upwards of $900 without insurance, which is why some might wonder about the availability of generic alternatives. This article covers what Breztri is, how it works, why there’s no generic yet, its cost, and options that can make it more affordable.

Is there a generic for Breztri?

No, there’s no FDA-approved generic for Breztri (budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate) yet. Because Breztri is brand-name only, a pharmacist cannot substitute a lower-cost equivalent when filling your prescription, as no such equivalent exists. That means the price you see at the pharmacy counter is the price you pay, which is why exploring cost-saving options is important.

What is Breztri Aerosphere?

Breztri Aerosphere is a fixed-dose, triple combination prescription inhaler manufactured by drug company AstraZeneca. It was first approved by the FDA in 2020 as a maintenance treatment for COPD in adults. In April 2026, the FDA expanded the diagnoses and age groups and approved Breztri for the maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

Breztri is taken as a maintenance inhaler. The recommended dose for COPD is two inhalations, twice daily, in the morning and in the evening. “This is not a rescue inhaler, but rather is designed to be used daily to help control symptoms of COPD,” says James Lyons, MD, clinical adviser at Epiphany Wellness.

Breztri Aerosphere contains three active ingredients, each from a different drug class:

• Budesonide: An inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that works by inhibiting immune cells and inflammatory signals that contribute to inflammation in the airways
• Glycopyrrolate: A long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), also called an anticholinergic drug, that works on muscarinic receptors to relax smooth muscles in the airways to open them (bronchodilation)
• Formoterol fumarate: A long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA). Similar to glycopyrrolate, it works on beta2-adrenergic receptors to relax smooth muscles and bronchodilate the airways.

Combining three drug classes in a single inhaler is called triple therapy, a type of combination therapy. “Think of triple therapy as a ‘three-pronged’ attack on airway constriction,” explains Kyle Hoedebecke, MD, clinical adviser of Alpas Wellness in Sterling, Virginia. “One type of drug may work to target only one mechanism, whereas dual therapy works against two. Triple therapy attacks both inflammation and two different pathways by which the airways constrict,” Dr. Hoedebecke says.

Breztri Aerosphere is one of two FDA-approved fixed-dose triple therapy inhalers in the U.S. for COPD. Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol) is the other FDA-approved triple therapy inhaler, made by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. Trelegy Ellipta uses different active ingredients and is taken once daily instead of twice daily.

Triple therapy isn’t needed for every COPD or asthma case. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Guidelines, published in 2023, recommend triple therapy in patients whose blood eosinophil count is high (more than 300 cells/µL), in patients who have severe airflow obstruction, and in patients who have a history of COPD exacerbations despite being compliant with respiratory medications prescribed. Your healthcare provider can evaluate whether triple therapy is appropriate based on your individual situation and symptoms.

Why doesn’t Breztri have a generic yet?

Breztri Aerosphere doesn’t have a generic version because there are still active patents that prevent generic drugs from being approved until at least 2030. When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it can hold patent protections that prevent other manufacturers from producing a generic version for 20 years from the filing date. A patent’s duration can be extended or shortened due to many factors, such as medical and legal filings. Once patents expire, generic manufacturers can apply to produce lower-cost generic equivalents with the FDA. As of 2026, Breztri Aerosphere has a few active patents that aren’t set to expire until 2030 to 2028.

Patents for inhaled combination drugs can be more complicated than inhaled single drugs because the inhaler technology can be patented in addition to the drug formulation. For a generic version to be approved, manufacturers must develop a drug and delivery system that provides the same active ingredients, at the same dose, and using the same method of delivery. That means generic manufacturers need to develop an equivalent product with similar inhaler technology to the Breztri Aerosphere that can deliver the three medications in the same way. This extra step in research and development can delay the availability of a generic combination therapy inhaler.

How much does Breztri cost without a generic?

The average retail price of a single Breztri Aerosphere is $936 for 1, 10.7 g 160-9-4.8 mcg/act inhaler without insurance. This is about a month’s supply. Your actual out-of-pocket cost for Breztri depends on your prescription, pharmacy, and whether you’re using your insurance coverage or any discounts to help pay for your medication. For example, the cost of Breztri Aerosphere can be as low as $572 for 1, 10.7 g 160-9-4.8 mcg/act inhaler with a SingleCare discount. Read on for more information below.

Most insurance plans do cover Breztri Aerosphere for COPD, including certain Medicare and Medicaid plans. That being said, some plans require prior authorization or step therapy before coverage is confirmed. According to drug manufacturer AstraZeneca, people with commercial insurance pay $44 out of pocket per month on average. In addition, people with Medicare Part D pay $45 out of pocket per month on average, and people with Medicaid plans may pay about $1 per month out of pocket.

Breztri Aerosphere cost at a glance
Scenario	Estimated cost
Retail cash price (no insurance, no coupon)	$936 for 1, 10.7 g 160-9-4.8 mcg/act inhaler
With a SingleCare coupon	$572 for 1, 10.7 g of 160-9-4.8 mcg/act inhaler
With commercial insurance (average copay)	$44 per month
With Medicare Part D (average copay)	$45 per month

How to afford Breztri without a generic

While a generic version is not available yet, there are still several options to save on your Breztri Aerosphere prescription. For example, a manufacturer savings program can reduce the out-of-pocket cost to $0 for qualifying individuals.

“Patients frequently discontinue their prescribed treatment because of cost,” Dr. Hoedebecke says. Despite the retail cost of Breztri Aerosphere, there are many ways healthcare professionals can help patients access the medications that help them. “To help avoid discontinuation of treatment due to cost concerns, we assist patients with obtaining prior authorization for their medications, finding alternative formulary choices that are preferred by the manufacturers, and pointing them toward manufacturer savings programs and/or foundations that offer financial assistance to eligible individuals,” he explains.

RELATED: Breztri prior authorization: What to do if insurance requires it or denies it

Consider the following options to save on Breztri:

1. Use a SingleCare coupon for Breztri: Using a SingleCare coupon or discount card can reduce the price of Breztri Aerosphere without using insurance at participating pharmacies. SingleCare coupons are free for anyone to get and can be used at many retail pharmacies, such as Kroger and CVS Pharmacy. Compare prices at nearby pharmacies by visiting SingleCare’s Breztri page.
2. Check eligibility for manufacturer savings programs: AstraZeneca offers two problems that may help patients with and without insurance:
   • The Breztri Zero Pay program is for people with commercial or private insurance. For those who qualify, it can reduce their out-of-pocket cost to $0. To be eligible, your commercial or private insurance plan should cover Breztri without restrictions (e.g., step therapy or prior authorization), you must be 18 or older and prescribed Breztri, and you must not be on a government-funded insurance program such as Medicaid or Medicare. It may impose maximum savings limits and other restrictions, as well.
   • AstraZeneca also offers AZ&Me, a prescription savings program to help people who have a low income and are without health insurance or who are covered under Medicare but still cannot afford their Breztri prescription. AZ&Me covers the full cost of the medication for a year for those who qualify. Patients who have an annual adjusted gross household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may qualify for the AZ&Me program.
3. Talk to your healthcare provider about prior authorizations and appeals: For those who were denied drug coverage for Breztri from their insurance provider, there may be ways to appeal the decision or get coverage with additional support. With the right documentation, for example, pulmonary function tests or a record of previous inhalers you’ve tried, healthcare providers may be able to support patients in getting approval for this triple combination inhaler. Read more in our Breztri savings guide.
4. Ask about alternative triple-therapy options: Your healthcare provider may also discuss other combination therapy inhaler options, such as Trelegy Ellipta, as an alternative to Breztri Aerosphere. “Although Trelegy is still a brand-name product, it can still be therapeutically similar, which can be covered differently by insurance plans,” Dr. Lyons says. If Breztri is not accessible, talk to your healthcare provider about Breztri alternatives that could be appropriate for you.

Expert takeaway

“There may not be a generic version of Breztri for 4 years or more. Consider how you can obtain Breztri at a lower cost if you and your physician agree this is the appropriate medicine for you,” states Leslie Greenberg, MD, Associate Professor of Community and Family Medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.

Frequently asked questions

When will a Breztri generic be available?

A Breztri generic is not expected before 2030. Breztri has multiple patents protecting the drug, with some extending as far as 2038.

Is Breztri covered by Medicare?

Medicare may cover Breztri, but additional steps (e.g., prior authorization or failing step therapy) may be required for coverage.

What inhaler is similar to Breztri?

The only other FDA-approved triple-therapy combination inhaler is Trelegy Ellipta. It is similar to Breztri but contains different active ingredients.