Breo Ellipta vs Nucala
Side-by-side cost comparison based on Medicare Part D data
Breo Ellipta
Fluticasone/Vilanterol
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline
Nucala
Mepolizumab
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline
Breo Ellipta costs 92% less per claim than Nucala ($221.00 vs $2,720.00). A generic version of Breo Ellipta is also available, which may reduce costs further.
Cost Per Claim
Medicare Spending
Beneficiaries
Annual Cost Per Patient
Full Comparison
| Metric | Breo Ellipta | Nucala |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Cost Per Claim | $221.00 | $2,720.00 |
| Total Medicare Spending | $1.2B | $1.5B |
| Total Beneficiaries | 680,000 | 48,000 |
| Total Claims | 5,240,000 | 564,000 |
| Annual Cost/Patient | $1,700.00 | $31,958.00 |
| Year-over-Year Change | -4.3% | +12.4% |
| Generic Available | Yes | Yes |
| Patent Expiration | Jan 31, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | GlaxoSmithKline | GlaxoSmithKline |
| Condition | Asthma/COPD | Asthma/COPD |
| Generic Name | Fluticasone/Vilanterol | Mepolizumab |
Breo Ellipta vs Nucala: What the Data Shows
Breo Ellipta (Fluticasone/Vilanterol) and Nucala (Mepolizumab) are both used to treat asthma/copd. Based on Medicare Part D data, Breo Ellipta costs $221.00 per claim, which is 92% less than Nucala at $2,720.00 per claim.
Medicare spent $1.2B on Breo Ellipta and $1.5B on Nucala. In terms of patient reach, Breo Ellipta serves more beneficiaries (680,000 vs 48,000).
Year-over-year spending changed -4.3% for Breo Ellipta and +12.4% for Nucala. Nucala saw significant spending growth, suggesting increased utilization or price increases.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Patients should discuss generic alternatives with their pharmacist to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Breo Ellipta is cheaper at $221.00 per claim, compared to $2,720.00 for Nucala. That makes Breo Ellipta about 92% less expensive per claim based on Medicare Part D data.
Yes, both Breo Ellipta and Nucala are used to treat asthma/copd. Your doctor can help determine which medication is more appropriate for your specific situation.
Both drugs have generic versions available. Generic Fluticasone/Vilanterol and generic Mepolizumab can offer significant cost savings — typically 80-95% less than the brand name.
Medicare Part D spent $1.2B on Breo Ellipta covering 680,000 beneficiaries, and $1.5B on Nucala covering 48,000 beneficiaries.
Explore Further
Cost data reflects Medicare Part D spending and may not represent retail pharmacy prices. Average cost per claim represents the total drug cost (not patient out-of-pocket) divided by total claims. This comparison is informational only and should not replace medical advice.