What Are AirDuo RespiClick and Advair?
AirDuo RespiClick and Advair are both prescription inhalers that combine fluticasone propionate (an inhaled corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist, or LABA). They treat asthma in patients 12 years and older and COPD maintenance in adults. AirDuo RespiClick delivers the same active ingredients and strengths as Advair Diskus: 100/50 mcg, 250/50 mcg, or 500/50 mcg (fluticasone/salmeterol per inhalation).[1][2]
How Do the Delivery Devices Differ?
The main difference is the inhaler design:
- AirDuo RespiClick: Breath-actuated dry powder inhaler (DPI). No propellant or manual coordination needed; you inhale to activate. It's smaller, portable, and has a dose counter. No shaking required.[3]
- Advair Diskus: Also a breath-actuated DPI, but uses a disk-shaped device with blister strips. You slide the cover to expose a dose, exhale away from it, then inhale steadily. It has a dose counter but feels bulkier.[1][4]
Both are dry powder inhalers, so they're not like Advair HFA (a metered-dose inhaler with propellant, discontinued in the US).
Is AirDuo RespiClick a Generic Version of Advair?
Yes, AirDuo RespiClick is the authorized generic equivalent of Advair Diskus, approved by the FDA in 2017. It has the same bioavailability, efficacy, and safety profile, with no clinically significant differences in asthma control or lung function improvement.[2][5] Teva Pharmaceuticals manufactures AirDuo RespiClick; GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) makes Advair Diskus (generics now available from others like Mylan).
Cost and Availability Differences
AirDuo RespiClick costs less—often 70-90% cheaper than brand-name Advair Diskus due to generic status. List prices: AirDuo around $150-300 for 30 days (varies by strength and pharmacy); Advair Diskus $400-600. Insurance often covers both, but copays favor generics. Both require a prescription; AirDuo launched after Advair's key patents expired in 2017, though some litigation delayed generics.[6]
For patent details on fluticasone/salmeterol formulations, see DrugPatentWatch.com.[7]
Effectiveness and Side Effects: Any Differences?
No meaningful differences. Clinical studies show equivalent improvements in FEV1 (lung function) and asthma exacerbation rates. Common side effects match: oral thrush, hoarseness, headache, pneumonia risk in COPD patients, and rare paradoxical bronchospasm. Black box warning applies to both for asthma-related death risk with LABAs.[2][5]
Which Should You Choose?
Switching between them is straightforward for most patients due to identical drug delivery. Doctors may prefer AirDuo for cost savings or if patients struggle with Diskus technique. Consult a provider for personal fit, especially with technique demos.[3][4]
Sources
[1]: FDA Label - AirDuo RespiClick
[2]: FDA Approval Summary
[3]: Teva AirDuo Instructions
[4]: GSK Advair Diskus
[5]: Bioequivalence Study - PubMed
[6]: GoodRx Pricing Comparison
[7]: DrugPatentWatch - AirDuo RespiClick