Next steps for those who relied on the popular product to control asthma.
February 16, 2024By Francesca Coltrera, Editor, Harvard Health Blog
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
What happens when a widely used medicine is no longer available at pharmacies across the US? Until recently, Flovent (fluticasone) inhalers were frequently prescribed to help control asthma. If you or your child relied on these products, you may be scrambling to find medicines that will help you stay healthy without breaking the bank.
What’s essential to know, and what questions should you ask your health care provider? We checked in with Dr. William B. Feldman, a physician in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital to get answers.
Which medicines are discontinued?
In January, GlaxoSmithKline stopped producing Flovent, which was available as a prescription metered-dose inhaler (Flovent HFA) and a dry powder inhaler (Flovent Diskus).
Both contain fluticasone, a steroid. Fluticasone reduces inflammation and swelling in the airways. Both types of inhalers are FDA-approved to help prevent asthma attacks.
However, children under age 5 and adults with particularly poor lung function may not be able to use a dry powder inhaler. They may lack the lung power necessary to breathe in deeply enough to pull the medicine into their airways, Dr. Feldman explains. A metered-dose inhaler could be the best choice for them.
Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation.
Science has proven that chronic, low-grade inflammation can turn into a silent killer that contributes to cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other conditions. Get simple tips to fight inflammation and stay healthy — from Harvard Medical School experts.
LEARN MORE
View Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation.
Now that Flovent is discontinued, is a generic product available?
Yes, the drug manufacturer has licensed an authorized generic of both Flovent products: the metered-dose inhaler and the dry powder inhaler.
However, insurance coverage may not pay for the authorized generic because it may cost an insurer more than some other branded medicines. So, you may need to switch to another brand to stay healthy. Call your insurance company to check.
What are your alternatives?
This is a good chance for you and your doctor to review your asthma treatment plan. It may be a good time to make changes.
If you had been using Flovent daily for symptom control, your doctor may recommend:
- Trying an inhaled steroid similar to Flovent. Many types of steroids will work, including beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler), budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler), ciclesonide (Alvesco), and mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler, Asmanex HFA). “These products use different molecules to do the same job as fluticasone,” says Dr. Feldman.
- Switching to a combination inhaler. New studies suggest this approach may help many people who use Flovent daily for symptom control and only use a short-acting medicine to open airways when an asthma flare occurs (see here and here). If you have intermittent asthma symptoms, talk with your provider about whether you could use a combination inhaler when you start to wheeze or have shortness of breath. This combines a medicine called formoterol with a steroid. Symbicort provides this combination in one inhaler. Although not yet approved by the FDA for this specific use, it is approved in many other countries.
What else do asthma specialists advise people to do?
If your insurance covers the authorized generic, this may be a good choice because you already know how to use the product. But what if insurance won’t cover this?
Oregonstate News Blog 