Prescriptions

How to pay less for asthma and COPD inhalers

Inhalers can be some of the priciest medicines people fill every month. Several drugmakers now cap what many patients pay, and generics exist for some popular inhalers. Here’s how to find a lower price without putting your breathing at risk.

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Never skip, stretch or stop an inhaler to save money. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you change any medicine. Your provider will probably prescribe a quick-relief inhaler to carry at all times (NHLBI). Follow your asthma action plan to know what to do and when to call 9-1-1, and tell your provider if you use more than one canister of reliever medicine a month, which NHLBI lists as a sign of higher risk for a severe attack (NHLBI).

Three places to look for savings

$35 manufacturer caps

GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim announced $35-a-month caps on out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients using their inhalers. AstraZeneca announced one too.

Source: GSK, Boehringer, AstraZeneca

Generics

FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand. The FDA approved the first generic of Advair Diskus, Wixela Inhub, in 2019.

Source: FDA, FDA 2019 list

Cash price checks

If you’re uninsured or your copay is high, compare the price with a free discount card against your copay and any manufacturer offer.

Compare your inhaler price before you fill

Look up your inhaler with the free RxGo card and compare that price with your copay and any manufacturer savings card.

Get your free RxGo card

Print a coupon

Get the RxGo app

MegaSavings may earn a small fee when you use the RxGo card, at no cost to you. Discount cards aren’t insurance, and prices vary by pharmacy.

How the $35 caps work

GSK: caps out-of-pocket costs at no more than $35 a month for eligible patients on its asthma and COPD inhalers, including Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Anoro, Arnuity, Breo, Incruse, Serevent, Trelegy and Ventolin HFA. GSK said it would be in place no later than January 1, 2025 (GSK).
Boehringer Ingelheim: its $35 cap covers inhalers including Atrovent HFA, Combivent Respimat, Spiriva, Stiolto and Striverdi. Boehringer says most eligible patients get it automatically at the pharmacy with no action required; others, including people without insurance or whose pharmacy doesn’t participate, can enroll for a savings card at InhalerOffer.com (Boehringer Ingelheim).
AstraZeneca announced a $35-a-month cap for its US inhaled respiratory medicines starting June 1, 2024 (AstraZeneca).
The catch: GSK and Boehringer both say government rules exclude people enrolled in federal government insurance programs, like Medicare, from co-pay support (GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim). Terms apply, so check the current offer on the drugmaker’s site.

Ask about a generic, the right way

The FDA says approved generics have the same active ingredient, strength and dosage form as the brand and provide the same clinical benefit and risks (FDA). Wixela Inhub was approved in 2019 as the first generic of Advair Diskus (FDA). Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a generic or a lower-cost inhaler is right for you, and ask the pharmacist to show you how to use any new device before you leave the counter.

If you have Medicare

Out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs are capped at $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027 (Medicare.gov).
Drugmaker $35 cards generally don’t apply to Medicare (GSK), but ask about their patient assistance programs. GSK and Boehringer both say they provide medicine at no cost to eligible patients (GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim).
If your income is limited, see if you qualify for Extra Help (Medicare.gov).
Discount card purchases instead of your plan don’t count toward your out-of-pocket limit (Medicare.gov). During open enrollment, check that your inhaler is covered. See our Medicare open enrollment guide.

If you’re uninsured

Check the manufacturer’s $35 offer for your brand inhaler, then compare it with a discount card price. See how discount cards work.
HRSA-funded health centers offer care on a sliding fee based on income. Find one near you.
Illinois open enrollment for 2027 plans runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 at Get Covered Illinois.

Check inhaler prices near you

The RxGo card is free. Show it at the counter, or print a coupon, and compare the price with your copay.

Get your free RxGo card

Print a coupon

Get the RxGo app

MegaSavings may earn a small fee when you use the RxGo card, at no cost to you. Discount cards aren’t insurance, and prices vary by pharmacy.

Common questions

Is there a $35 cap on asthma inhalers?

Several drugmakers, including GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim and AstraZeneca, announced $35-a-month caps for eligible patients. People with federal insurance like Medicare are generally excluded, and terms apply.

Is there a generic for Advair?

Yes. The FDA approved Wixela Inhub as the first generic of Advair Diskus in 2019. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s right for you.

Can I use an inhaler less often to make it last?

No. Don’t skip or stretch doses to save money. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lower-cost options instead, and follow your asthma action plan.

Does Medicare cap inhaler costs?

Medicare Part D caps out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs at $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, per Medicare.gov.

Does MegaSavings get paid?

MegaSavings may earn a small fee when you use the RxGo card, at no cost to you. It doesn’t change the tips on this page.

Sources

More guides: Prescriptions · Prescription discount cards · Prescriptions without insurance · Medicare open enrollment

Last reviewed: October 28, 2026