FDA pharmacologic class
Beta-2 agonists (bronchodilators)
6 medicines are in FDA's class of beta2-adrenergic agonists (beta-2 agonists): albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol (Xopenex), arformoterol, formoterol (Perforomist), olodaterol (Striverdi) and salmeterol (Serevent); 12 combination products also contain one. 7 of the 18 are listed from generic labelers (FDA NDC Directory, October 8, 2026). The lowest pharmacy cost is ipratropium-albuterol 0.5-3(2.5) mg/3 ml at $0.0787 per mL (NADAC).
Which medicines are beta-2 agonists?
| Medicine | Brand names | Generic labelers (all forms) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage | Recalls since 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuterol | Ventolin, Proair | 40 labelers | $0.288 per tablet 2 mg tablet | No | Resolved | 20 |
| Fluticasone and salmeterol | Advair, Airduo, Wixela | 8 labelers | $1.07 per unit 100-50 | No | A presentation being discontinued | 3 |
| Levalbuterol | Xopenex | 12 labelers | $0.262 per mL 0.31 mg/3 mL solution | No | No current entry | 3 |
| Albuterol and ipratropium | Combivent | 14 labelers | $0.0787 per mL 0.5-3(2.5) mg/3 mL | No | No current entry | 5 |
| Budesonide and formoterol | Symbicort, Breyna | 2 labelers | $17.26 per gram 160-4.5 | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Arformoterol | none listed | 15 labelers | $0.633 per mL 15 mcg/2 mL solution | No | No current entry | 2 |
| Formoterol | Perforomist | 11 labelers | $1.30 per mL 20 mcg/2 mL neb vial | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Fluticasone and vilanterol | Breo | none listed | $3.90 per unit 100-25 | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Formoterol and mometasone | Dulera | none listed | $25.22 per gram 100 mcg-5 mcg inhaler | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Budesonide and formoterol and glycopyrrolate | Breztri | none listed | $61.41 per gram 160-9-4.8 mcg | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Fluticasone and umeclidinium and vilanterol | Trelegy | none listed | $11.12 per unit 100-62.5-25 | No | No current entry | 2 |
| Umeclidinium and vilanterol | Anoro | none listed | $4.95 per inhaler 62.5-25 mcg inhaler | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Aclidinium and formoterol | Duaklir | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Albuterol and budesonide | Airsupra | none listed | $45.03 per gram 90-80 mcg inhaler | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Formoterol and glycopyrrolate | Bevespi | none listed | $40.86 per gram Bevespi aerosphere inhaler | No | No current entry | 1 |
| Olodaterol | Striverdi | none listed | $65.94 per gram Striverdi respimat inhal spray | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Olodaterol and tiotropium | Stiolto | none listed | $115.80 per gram 60) | No | No current entry | 0 |
| Salmeterol | Serevent | none listed | $6.74 per unit 50 mcg | Yes | No current entry | 0 |
Source: FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (NDC Directory, openFDA); CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA shortages and recalls (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay?
Each medicine's most widely listed form, per unit, in the NADAC survey: what pharmacies paid, not what a patient pays; strengths differ, so compare like with like.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price