Dulera vs. ProAir

See how Dulera and ProAir compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Dulera is a twice-daily controller inhaler that combines a steroid and long-acting bronchodilator, while ProAir is a fast-acting rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms; they are usually used together, not as substitutes.

  • Dulera carries a boxed warning about LABA-related asthma death risk, while ProAir's main warning is that needing it more often signals worsening asthma that needs a controller medication like Dulera.

  • Both inhalers list headache as a common side effect, but Dulera's other effects involve infection risk and airway irritation while ProAir's involve a faster heart rate and dizziness.

Dulera vs. ProAir Drug Summary

Dulera

Dulera is an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist (ICS/LABA) combination inhaler used for twice-daily maintenance treatment of asthma in people 5 years and older. It pairs mometasone, which reduces airway inflammation over time, with formoterol, which helps keep airways open between doses.

ProAir

ProAir is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhaler used to treat or prevent sudden asthma attacks and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm in people 4 years and older. It works within minutes by relaxing the muscles around the airways, making it a rescue inhaler rather than a daily maintenance medicine.

Dulera vs. ProAir Side Effects

Dulera

Most common
headache (3%)
nasopharyngitis (3%)
sinusitis (3%)
bronchitis (3%)

ProAir

Most common
headache (3%)
tachycardia (3%)
pain (3%)
dizziness (3%)

Dulera vs. ProAir Dosage

Dulera

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2 inhalations 100/5 mcg BID At the start
Maximum dose 2 inhalations 200/5 mcg BID If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

ProAir

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2 inhalations pre-exercise At the start
Maximum dose 2 inhalations pre-exercise Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Dulera vs. ProAir Indications

Dulera

Dulera is approved as a twice-daily maintenance inhaler for asthma in patients 5 years and older. It is meant for ongoing control of airway inflammation, not for treating a sudden asthma attack.

  • Long-term, twice-daily control of asthma symptoms

  • Approved for patients 5 years of age and older

  • Not approved for relief of sudden bronchospasm

  • Combines a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator

ProAir

ProAir is approved to treat or prevent bronchospasm in reversible airway disease and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is meant for quick relief of sudden symptoms, not daily long-term control.

  • Fast relief of sudden asthma or bronchospasm symptoms

  • Approved for patients 4 years of age and older

  • Can be used 15-30 minutes before exercise to prevent symptoms

  • Not intended as a daily maintenance treatment

Dulera vs. ProAir Pros and Cons

Dulera

Dulera is built for daily control, combining an inhaled steroid with a long-acting bronchodilator in one device. It is not a rescue option and carries warnings tied to its LABA component and long-term steroid use.

Pros

  • Combines two long-term controller medicines in a single inhaler

  • Reduces underlying airway inflammation, not just symptoms

  • Fixed twice-daily schedule that's easy to build into a routine

Cons

  • Boxed warning for increased asthma-related death risk from the LABA component

  • Not usable for sudden symptom relief, so a rescue inhaler is still needed

  • Long-term steroid risks like thrush, adrenal suppression, and bone effects

ProAir

ProAir is designed for on-demand relief rather than daily control, so it works within minutes but doesn't address underlying inflammation. It is inexpensive and widely available, but overuse can signal worsening asthma.

Pros

  • Works within minutes for sudden asthma or bronchospasm symptoms

  • Can be used just before exercise to prevent symptoms

  • Substantially cheaper than Dulera, roughly $85 to $95 per month without insurance

Cons

  • Does not treat the underlying airway inflammation causing asthma

  • Overuse can mask or signal worsening asthma control

  • Can cause noticeable tachycardia or jitteriness in some patients

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