Mylan Pharmaceuticals announced that the FDA approved their new Wixela inhalers (the generic versions of Advair). The wholesale cost of Wixela is less than half the cost of Advair, so we will hopefully see some of the price relief we have long needed in the treatment of asthma! If you are looking for a less expensive option, we recommend first talking with your allergist about whether switching might be appropriate for you. Next, you will want to call your insurance company to ask about what your copay will be.

Much like the Advair Diskus, Wixela is a dry powder inhaler. The device is a little different, with the disc part oriented vertically rather than horizontally. It contains the same two medications that are in Advair, at the same dosages, so substitution should be straightforward if it is appropriate for you to switch.

The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center is proud to have been chosen as one of the study sites to help bring Wixela to market. We are especially grateful to our patients who volunteered to participate in the clinical trials that led to Wixela being licensed for sale in the United States. Both our clinical and research staff members remain committed to providing the highest possible level of care to our patients, as well as continuing to participate in studies. Clinical trials not only help bring generic alternatives to market but also advance our understanding of asthma and other allergic diseases. Most importantly, clinical research helps develop new therapies for patients who don’t get adequate relief from the medications currently available today.