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

Most common
Headache (≥3%)
Nasopharyngitis (≥3%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (≥3%)
Oral candidiasis (≥3%)

ProAir

Most common
Headache (≥3%)
Tachycardia (≥3%)
Pain (≥3%)
Dizziness (≥3%)

Breo vs. ProAir Dosage

Breo

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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