Two medicines, side by side
Fluticasone/salmeterol vs fluticasone/vilanterol
Fluticasone/salmeterol and fluticasone/vilanterol are both labeled for asthma and COPD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluticasone/salmeterol since 2000 and of fluticasone/vilanterol since 2013. Pharmacies paid $1.07 per unit (Fluticasone-salmeterol 100-50) and $3.90 per unit (Fluticasone-vilanterol 100-25) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Fluticasone/salmeterol's other strengths are brand-only: $20.00 per gram (Advair hfa 45-21 mcg inhaler). Fluticasone/vilanterol's other strengths are brand-only: $5.93 per unit (Breo ellipta 100-25 mcg inhalr). How each works, in its label's words: Fluticasone/salmeterol, “ADVAIR DISKUS ADVAIR DISKUS contains both fluticasone propionate and salmeterol.”; Fluticasone/vilanterol, “BREO ELLIPTA BREO ELLIPTA contains both fluticasone furoate and vilanterol.”
Check it at the source: the fluticasone/salmeterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 26, 2026); the fluticasone/vilanterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 7, 2024).
Highlights of the fluticasone and salmeterol record
Fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair) · label of March 26, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsADVAIR DISKUS is a combination product containing a corticosteroid and a long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic agonist (LABA) indicated for: • Twice-daily treatment of asthma in patients aged 4 years and older. ( 1.1 ) • Maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction and reducing exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 24, 2000
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.07 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the fluticasone and vilanterol record
Fluticasone and vilanterol (Breo Ellipta) · label of November 7, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsBREO ELLIPTA is a combination of fluticasone furoate, a corticosteroid, and vilanterol, a long-acting beta 2 -adrenergic agonist (LABA), indicated for: • the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ( 1.1 ) • the maintenance treatment of asthma in patients aged 5 years and older. ( 1.2 ) Limitations of Use: Not indicated for relief of acute bronchospasm. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 10, 2013
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $3.90 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fluticasone/salmeterol label of March 26, 2026, Fluticasone/vilanterol label of November 7, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluticasone/salmeterol and fluticasone/vilanterol differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Fluticasone/salmeterol, “ADVAIR DISKUS ADVAIR DISKUS contains both fluticasone propionate and salmeterol.”; Fluticasone/vilanterol, “BREO ELLIPTA BREO ELLIPTA contains both fluticasone furoate and vilanterol.”
Both are in FDA's class beta2-adrenergic agonists.
Half-life, in each label's words: Fluticasone/salmeterol, “Elimination Fluticasone Propionate: Following intravenous dosing, fluticasone propionate showed polyexponential …”; Fluticasone/vilanterol, “Following repeat-dose inhaled administration, the plasma elimination phase half-life averaged 24 hours.”
Generics: fluticasone/salmeterol since 2019; fluticasone/vilanterol none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluticasone/salmeterol | Fluticasone/vilanterol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, COPD | COPD, Asthma |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid, beta2-Adrenergic Agonist | Corticosteroid, beta2-Adrenergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | ADVAIR DISKUS ADVAIR DISKUS contains both fluticasone propionate and salmeterol. The mechanisms of action described below for the individual components apply to ADVAIR DISKUS. | BREO ELLIPTA BREO ELLIPTA contains both fluticasone furoate and vilanterol. The mechanisms of action described below for the individual components apply to BREO ELLIPTA. |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Fluticasone Propionate: Following intravenous dosing, fluticasone propionate showed polyexponential kinetics and had a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 7.8 hours. | Following repeat-dose inhaled administration, the plasma elimination phase half-life averaged 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 24, 2000 | May 10, 2013 |
| First generic approved | January 30, 2019 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.07 per unit (Fluticasone-salmeterol 100-50) | $3.90 per unit (Fluticasone-vilanterol 100-25) |
| 12-month price change | -8% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 100,237 | 35,760 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to fluticasone/salmeterol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions