Generic Breo Ellipta: Price, coverage, and alternatives

In this article:

• Breo Ellipta generic
• Generic vs. brand-name Breo Ellipta
• Generic Breo Ellipta cost
• Is Breo Ellipta covered by insurance?
• How to get it covered
• Alternatives
• Expert takeaway

In this article

• Breo Ellipta generic
• Generic vs. brand-name Breo Ellipta
• Generic Breo Ellipta cost
• Is Breo Ellipta covered by insurance?
• How to get it covered
• Alternatives
• Expert takeaway

Breo Ellipta is a prescription inhaler that combines two different medications, the corticosteroid fluticasone and the long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (LABA) vilanterol. It’s approved for the long-term treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. An authorized generic of Breo Ellipta, distributed by Prasco, became available in mid-2022.

Is there a generic for Breo Ellipta?

Yes, the first generic version of Breo Ellipta was released in May 2022. It’s called fluticasone furoate/vilanterol and is distributed by Prasco. This is an authorized generic, meaning it is the same product as brand-name Breo Ellipta marketed under a different label. In September 2025, the FDA accepted an ANDA filing from Transpire Bio for a true generic version of Breo Ellipta, though that generic may not yet be approved or commercially available.

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Breo Ellipta?

To earn FDA approval, generic drugs have to be essentially identical to their brand-name reference products. This means they must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration, but they can differ in inactive ingredients, such as fillers and dyes. 

The authorized generic and brand-name Breo Ellipta, however, also have identical inactive ingredients, so they’re virtually the same medication. Studies have shown that inhaler treatments for COPD are equally effective. For example, one study on fluticasone-salmeterol inhalers found that generic and brand-name formulations yielded similar outcomes in patients with COPD. 

The only potential difference between versions of Breo Ellipta is the device design. And while this might seem like a minor variation, it can significantly impact the inhaler’s effectiveness. “It is not wise to look at an inhaler/device switch as a simple lightbulb change. The formulation may be equivalent, but the performance does not always correlate,” says Elizabeth Moffett, registered respiratory therapist, certified asthma educator, and respiratory wellness advocate at Omhale. 

“The angle of the device in the mouth can make a difference,” she continues. “Generic versions of Breo may have slight changes in airflow resistance, dosing feedback, which sounds trivial until it’s you wheezing your way through a treatment.” This might not be the case with every generic, but the device’s design can significantly influence its effectiveness. 

How much does generic Breo Ellipta cost?

In many cases, generic drugs are much cheaper than brand-name drugs, but that might not be true for Breo Ellipta. The brand-name version can cost an average of around $551 for a 30-day supply. That same quantity could be around $274 for the generic version with a discount card, although the exact price can vary by pharmacy and location.

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Mar. 24, 2026. 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. 

Is Breo Ellipta covered by insurance?

Many private insurance and Medicare Part D plans cover Breo Ellipta, though coverage varies by plan. 

Even with coverage, your copays and co-insurance may depend on how the insurance plan classifies Breo Ellipta. Every plan has a formulary that categorizes drugs into tiers, providing different levels of coverage for each tier. Typically, generic drugs receive the best coverage, followed by “preferred” brands, then “non-preferred” brands, and specialty drugs. If your plan lists Breo Ellipta as a non-preferred brand, you may be subject to higher copays or additional prior authorization requirements. 

How do you get Breo Ellipta covered by insurance?

Some insurance plans may require prior authorization, which determines whether a particular drug is medically necessary. In some cases, it’s as simple as requesting additional documentation from the healthcare provider. But in other cases, it might require step therapy, which means trying other (typically cheaper) drugs first, then moving to Breo Ellipta if they don’t work or cause side effects. 

If your insurance does not cover Breo Ellipta or its generic, or if you are uninsured, a SingleCare discount card can help reduce the cost at participating pharmacies.

Generic alternatives to Breo Ellipta

Generic fluticasone furoate-vilanterol is the most comparable alternative to Breo Ellipta, since they’re essentially the same drug. However, other generics are available and may be viable options. 

“Breo is a combination of an inhaled steroid and long-acting beta agonists (ICS/LABA). There are many different types of inhalers with these medications, so luckily, there are many alternatives,” says Dr. Purvi Parikh, MD, allergist and immunologist at the Allergy & Asthma Network. “I would first recommend the generic Breo, as the device is the same, and it’s a once-per-day dosing. But, if the insurance doesn’t cover that, some of the other ICS/LABA inhalers are just as good, but you just need to take them more frequently.” 

Some options include:

• Other ICS/LABA combination inhalers: fluticasone-salmeterol (brand names: Advair, AirDuo, Seretide), budesonide-formoterol (Symbicort, Breyna)
• ICS-only inhalers: fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta), mometasone furoate (Asmanex), fluticasone propionate (Flovent)
• Other maintenance inhalers (LAMA- or LABA-only): tiotropium (Spiriva Respimat), salmeterol (Serevent Diskus), arformoterol (Brovana)

Generics are usually the more financially attractive alternatives, but there are some other brand-name options too. Common ones include triple-combination inhalers like Βrеztri Aerosphere or Trelegy Ellipta and biologics like Dupixent, Fasenra, or Nucala. Keep in mind that ICS-only inhalers and LAMA- or LABA-only inhalers are not direct equivalents to Breo Ellipta and may need to be combined with another maintenance inhaler.

The best option for you depends on your medical condition. The ideal choices for COPD might be different from the drugs that work best for asthma. When choosing the best inhaler for a patient, Dr. Parikh says she considers pulmonary function tests, compliance, and the patient’s preferences. “There’s shared decision making to choose which inhaler is best for a patient, and dosing depends on breathing test and asthma control,” she says. “Unfortunately, many times we are forced to choose whatever the insurance will cover, as even generics can be costly to a patient without insurance coverage.”

It’s also worth noting that some states allow pharmacists to substitute a generic version of a drug, even if a brand name is on the prescription. Since they’re bioequivalent, it usually isn’t a significant issue, but if your healthcare provider prefers you to have the brand name, they can include a “dispense as written” statement on the prescription. 

If you and your healthcare provider decide that a different medication might work better for you, do not stop taking Breo Ellipta until you have your new medication ready to go. This will help prevent a lapse in treatment, which can worsen lung symptoms. But if the new inhaler contains a LABA medication, avoid overlapping them, since it may increase the risk of an overdose. Always follow the healthcare provider’s directions and dosage exactly. 

Expert takeaway

Patients who switch to the authorized generic of Breo Ellipta can generally expect the same treatment effects, since the inhaler device and formulation are identical to those of the brand-name product. However, any future ANDA-approved generics may use a different device, which could affect their effectiveness.