Breo vs. ProAir
See how Breo and ProAir compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Breo is a once-daily maintenance inhaler for asthma and COPD, while ProAir is a fast-acting rescue inhaler used for sudden symptoms.
Breo combines a steroid and long-acting bronchodilator to control airway inflammation over time; ProAir uses a short-acting bronchodilator for quick relief.
Many people with asthma use both together: Breo daily for control and ProAir as needed for flare-ups, since one does not replace the other.
Breo vs. ProAir Drug Summary
Breo
Breo is a once-daily inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator combination used for long-term control of asthma and COPD. It's taken through the Ellipta inhaler and is not meant for immediate symptom relief.
ProAir
ProAir is a short-acting bronchodilator used to quickly relieve or prevent asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. It's inhaled as needed through a metered-dose inhaler, typically as a rescue medication during flare-ups.
Breo vs. ProAir Side Effects
Breo
ProAir
Breo vs. ProAir Dosage
Breo
ProAir
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 50 mcg/25 mcg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 200 mcg/25 mcg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 2 inhalations every 4-6h | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 2 inhalations pre-exercise | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Breo
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 50 mcg/25 mcg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 200 mcg/25 mcg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
ProAir
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 2 inhalations every 4-6h | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 2 inhalations pre-exercise | If needed |
| Dose changes | 2 increases | As tolerated |
Breo vs. ProAir Indications
Breo
Breo is FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 5 and older and for COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It's taken once daily to control airway inflammation over time, not to treat sudden symptoms.
Maintenance treatment of asthma (age 5+)
Maintenance treatment of COPD (bronchitis/emphysema)
Not for acute asthma or COPD flare-ups
Three strengths allow age- and disease-specific dosing
ProAir
ProAir is FDA-approved to treat or prevent bronchospasm in patients 4 and older with reversible airway disease and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. It works quickly to relax airway muscles during an attack or before exercise.
Treats/prevents bronchospasm (age 4+)
Prevents exercise-induced bronchospasm
Used as rescue therapy for sudden symptoms
Not approved for preterm labor tocolysis
Breo vs. ProAir Pros and Cons
Breo
Breo provides steady, long-term control of asthma and COPD through combined anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator action. Insurance coverage varies, though GSK's savings program can significantly lower monthly costs for eligible patients.
Pros
Once-daily dosing simplifies routine
Controls underlying airway inflammation over time
Approved for both asthma and COPD maintenance
GSK's savings program can lower cost to roughly $0 to $35 per month for eligible patients
Cons
Not for acute symptoms; requires a separate rescue inhaler
Carries a boxed warning for LABA-related asthma death risk
Roughly $225 to $550 per month without insurance or savings program
Contraindicated in patients with severe milk protein allergy
ProAir
ProAir offers fast, on-demand relief for sudden asthma symptoms and has a long track record as a standard rescue inhaler. It doesn't address the underlying airway inflammation that drives asthma over time.
Pros
Provides fast relief during an asthma attack
Roughly $85 to $95 per month without insurance
Effective for exercise-induced bronchospasm prevention
Simple metered-dose inhaler with a built-in dose counter
Cons
Does not treat underlying airway inflammation
Overuse can mask worsening asthma control
Can cause cardiovascular effects like tachycardia
Not intended for daily maintenance therapy
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