Two medicines, side by side
Fluticasone vs fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol
Fluticasone and fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol are both labeled for asthma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluticasone since 1990 and of fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol since 2017. Pharmacies paid $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) and $11.12 per unit (Trelegy ellipta 100-62.5-25) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, fluticasone is a corticosteroid and fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol a beta2-adrenergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the fluticasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 2024); the fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 2, 2023).
Highlights of the fluticasone record
Fluticasone (Flonase) · label of December 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves these symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • nasal congestion • itchy nose • runny nose • itchy, watery eyes • sneezing
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 14, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 71 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.243 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the fluticasone and umeclidinium and vilanterol record
Fluticasone and umeclidinium and vilanterol (Trelegy) · label of June 2, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsTRELEGY ELLIPTA is a combination of fluticasone furoate, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS); umeclidinium, an anticholinergic; 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 18 years and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 18, 2017
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $11.12 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fluticasone label of December 19, 2024, Fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol label of June 2, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluticasone and fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, fluticasone is a corticosteroid and fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol a beta2-adrenergic agonist.
Generics: fluticasone since 2004; fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluticasone | Fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Allergies, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | COPD, Asthma |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Anticholinergic, Corticosteroid, beta2-Adrenergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | TRELEGY ELLIPTA TRELEGY ELLIPTA contains fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol. The mechanisms of action described below for the individual components apply to TRELEGY ELLIPTA. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion: Fluticasone Furoate: The plasma elimination half-life following repeat-dose inhaled administration averaged 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 14, 1990 | September 18, 2017 |
| First generic approved | May 14, 2004 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 71 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) | $11.12 per unit (Trelegy ellipta 100-62.5-25) |
| 12-month price change | -0.1% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 139,949 | 41,185 |
| 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 do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol label, drug interactionsAvoid administration of TRELEGY ELLIPTA with other anticholinergic-containing drugs.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to fluticasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions