fluticasone/salmeterol vs fluticasone/vilanterol
Side-by-side comparison of fluticasone/salmeterol and fluticasone/vilanterol Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Advair
Breo Ellipta
Advair Diskus is a medicine that contains a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator. It helps to control asthma and COPD by reducing inflammation and opening airways in the lungs.
Breo Ellipta is a medicine that contains a corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist. It is used to help control symptoms of COPD and asthma.
Advair Diskus is used to treat asthma in people 4 years and older. It helps control asthma when other long-term medicines don't work well enough. It is also used to treat COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, helping to improve airflow and prevent flare-ups.
Breo Ellipta is used to treat COPD in adults. It is also used to treat asthma in people ages 5 and older. This medicine helps to improve your breathing by reducing inflammation and opening airways.
Advair Diskus contains two medicines. Fluticasone is a steroid that reduces swelling in your lungs. Salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.
Breo Ellipta contains two medicines. Fluticasone furoate reduces inflammation in the lungs. Vilanterol helps to relax the muscles around your airways, making it easier to breathe.
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Sore throat
- • Hoarseness
- • Oral thrush (candidiasis)
- • Bronchitis
- • Sore throat
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Headache
- • Mouth infection (oral candidiasis)
- • Back pain
No adverse event reports.
No adverse event reports.
Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) like salmeterol can increase the risk of asthma-related death. Do not use Advair Diskus to treat sudden asthma symptoms. Do not use other medicines containing a LABA. Watch for signs of pneumonia if you have COPD.
LABA medicines such as vilanterol, when used alone, increase the risk of asthma-related death. Breo Ellipta should not be used to treat sudden breathing problems. Do not use Breo Ellipta with other medicines that contain a LABA.
It is not known if Advair Diskus will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if Advair Diskus passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Advair Diskus while breastfeeding.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Breo Ellipta will harm your unborn baby. Breo Ellipta should be used during late pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
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How to Read This fluticasone/salmeterol vs fluticasone/vilanterol Comparison
fluticasone/salmeterol is classified in the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination drug class, while fluticasone/vilanterol sits within the Corticosteroid / Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist Combination class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, fluticasone/salmeterol has 0 submissions while fluticasone/vilanterol has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between fluticasone/salmeterol and fluticasone/vilanterol — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.